The island’s electricity provider is “closely monitoring” Tropical Storm Gabrielle’s development in case the storm — predicted to attain hurricane strength by late this weekend — knocks out power.

At 6am, the Bermuda Weather Service maintained its forecast to rank Gabrielle as a potential threat. The system was about 945 miles southeast of the island.

Forecast models show Gabrielle moving west-northwest at about 12mph, curving progressively north on a likely course to make a near pass to the island’s east at roughly noon on Monday before hooking northeast and off into the Atlantic.

However, Belco warned that the system’s forecast track had changed several times over the past 48 hours, adding that the company’s crisis management team had reviewed preparations in the event of a hit.

A spokesman said: “Through this process, critical spares are strategically placed in the western and eastern ends of the island and crew assignments are developed to ensure rapid response.

“Should Bermuda be impacted by Gabrielle, and it results in power outages, restoration crews will start work as soon as it is declared safe to do so and will continue to work until every customer has had power restored.”

Gabrielle is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane by Sunday afternoon and strengthen into a Category 2 by Monday afternoon as the system starts to turn from the island.

At the latest update, the storm had maximum winds of a little more than 50mph and gusts topping 60mph.

The closest point of Gabrielle to Bermuda within the next 72 hours was forecast to be on Monday at 3am, when the storm will reach roughly 230 miles east-southeast of the island.

According to the US-based National Hurricane Centre, tropical storm force winds extend up to 150 miles from the centre of the storm.

Storm-related outages will be reported on Belco’s website and social-media pages.

The utility, which regularly advises residents to keep trees on their property clear of power lines by at least ten feet, added that the deadline had passed for arranging a scheduled power outage for tree trimming ahead of a potential storm impact next week.

Property owners were reminded to call 295-5111 or e-mail treetrimming@belco.bm three weeks in advance to schedule a power shutdown to cut back vegetation safely.

Wayne Caines, the president of Belco, said: “We have had several threats from storms this season but thankfully we have been spared direct impacts.

“I urge residents to not let their guard down and prepare now for potential storm conditions.

“I encourage all residents and businesses in Bermuda to review their own hurricane safety plans as well as tips and advice on the Belco website and social-media channels to keep their family and property safe, should we be impacted by this storm next week.”