Residents were urged to “take this storm seriously” after the Emergency Measures Organisation put in place a series of steps to reduce risk in the face of Hurricane Imelda.

As of 9am this morning, the weather system was forecast to make its closest point of approach to the island at 1am on Thursday, when it will be within 29 miles of, or directly over, Bermuda as a Category 2.

A hurricane warning was in effect and the community was already experiencing rain bands associated with Hurricane Humberto, which was almost 281 miles north-northwest of the island at 6am, moving northeast at about 14mph.

Its closest point of approach — as a Category 1 — was predicted to be 269 miles to the north-northwest at 10am.

The BWS forecast discussion said: “Moderate rain during the evening eased under cloudy skies with winds in the 23 to 35 mile per hour range with gusts to 35 to 46 miles per hour as Hurricane Humberto moved further away to the north of the area.”

It said this morning, after a short reprieve, Hurricane Imelda will move in by late afternoon with more rain and showers and possible thunderstorms.

South-southwest winds of 29 to 40 miles per hour with gusts to 58mph are likely to ease to 23 to 35mph during the afternoon, then possibly ease further as the centre of Imelda passes almost overhead.

The BWS added: “Overnight, conditions deteriorate further with winds shifting to the north and rapidly increasing to 40 to 58mph with gusts to 81mph later in the evening and there is the chance for winds to peak at 69 to 92mph with gusts to 115mph for a time early in the night, especially over elevated or exposed areas.”

Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, said that Imelda was “the storm of greatest concern to us”.

He added for emphasis: “I cannot overstate the seriousness of this threat.”

Mr Weeks said that Imelda was expected to bring sustained hurricane-force winds for four to six hours overnight on Wednesday into Thursday.

“This, and I must stress, is not a passing squall,” Mr Weeks said.

“This is a dangerous storm system that could bring destructive winds, heavy rainfall and significant coastal impacts.

“Now is the time to act. Preparations for Humberto should well be under way and ideally already be complete.”

He added that all preparations for Imelda must be finished by noon today, after which conditions will deteriorate “and it will no longer be safe to be out and about our country”.

Phil Rogers, the director of the BWS, said yesterday that Bermuda was experiencing “significant bands of rain, thunderstorms are embedded in those bands” that would continue overnight.

He added that winds would slowly drop off this morning.

“We have high seas through the night tonight and through the day tomorrow,” Mr Rogers said.

“The maximum wave height should be around 30 feet. We are getting rip currents.

“[Wednesday] morning we expect winds to slowly drop off but then we will get Imelda, which has been upgraded to a full hurricane.

“Imelda is a quick-moving storm; it should start affecting us in the afternoon.

“We expect the 58mph winds to start affecting Bermuda at 7pm or 8pm tomorrow evening, and the hurricane-force winds will start affecting Bermuda at 9 or 10 o’clock in the evening.

“The hurricane-force winds should reach 69 to 92 miles per hour, with gusts up to as high as 115 miles per hour.

“The hurricane-force winds are expected to affect us for about six hours into early Thursday. Winds should steadily drop off after that pretty quickly.”

Mr Rogers said that the two storms were not expected to converge.

He said: “The track of Imelda is probably influenced somewhat by Humberto but there is no ability for them to combine into one big storm”.

Mr Weeks said that the EMO agreed a number of key decisions yesterday, to take effect over the following 48 hours.

Among them was that the Causeway will close at 6pm today until further notice, that schools will be closed today and tomorrow, and that the government shelter will operate at CedarBridge Academy from 4pm today.

Mr Weeks said: “In this case, Imelda has the potential to damage and disrupt our island significantly.

“By preparing properly, we can limit the damage, protect lives and recover more quickly after the storm passes.

“So I say again, take this storm seriously.”

He said the EMO will meet again this morning to get the latest weather information and will immediately advise the public accordingly.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre noted then: “A generally east-northeastward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over the next couple of days.

“On the forecast track, the centre of the hurricane will approach Bermuda Wednesday afternoon.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 85mph with higher gusts.

“Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next day or so.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles.”

The NHC said that between 2in and 4in of rain could be expected to fall across Bermuda from yesterday into today, which could result in flash floods.

Mr Weeks reminded the public of preparation measures they should take ahead.

He said: “Check on our seniors, vulnerable loved ones and neighbours. Reach out, offer assistance and make sure they are safe and prepared.

“Make sure you have at least three days of water, non-perishable food, flashlights, spare batteries, a first-aid kit and necessary medications.

“Ensure you have a portable FM radio. The emergency broadcast station is 100.1FM. There will be broadcasts from late afternoon on Wednesday with vital updates.

“Clear yards of loose items, garden furniture and debris that could become dangerous projectiles in hurricane-force winds.

“Trim back any overhanging branches.”

Belco said that owing to the passage of Hurricane Imelda, its walk-in cashier service in the lobby of its head office on Serpentine Road will be closed from noon today.

A spokesman for the power company explained: “As forecasts show a prolonged period of high winds and heavy rainfall, potentially severe at times from today through Thursday, we want to remind customers that if you lose power, our crews may not be able to respond immediately.

“They will begin restoration work as soon as it is safe to do so, as the safety of our team and the public is paramount.

“We urge our medical device dependent customers to create a back-up plan in case of power loss.

“Unfortunately, Belco cannot guarantee electricity service for the duration of the storm and alternative arrangements may be necessary.

“We also ask residents not to call Belco if their power goes out.

“Properties equipped with advanced metering infrastructure meters will automatically alert us to outages.

“Keeping phone lines open for emergencies such as pole fires and downed power lines is critical.”

A statement from the Hamilton Princess & Beach club said 1609 restaurant and the marina bar will be closed all day today and tomorrow, its gelateria and retail shops will close at 2pm and the spa and gym will cease operations at 2.30pm.

The statement added that the hotel will shut its doors to the public at 4pm today and everything will reopen, weather-dependent, on Friday.

It said: “This schedule is subject to change based on the storm's activity. We will continue communicating regular updates once received.”

A spokeswoman for Lindo’s said both stores will close at 3pm today and will reopen “as soon as it is safe to do so” on Thursday.

Rubis announced that it will suspend fuel deliveries at 2pm today and urged customers to top up on fuel before the storm.

A company statement said: “Deliveries will resume as soon as it is safe to do so, in accordance with guidance from the Emergency Measures Organisation.

“Priority will be given to essential services in the immediate aftermath of the storm’s passage.”

All Butterfield banks in Bermuda will close at 11.30am today and plan to reopen at 1pm on Thursday, provided it is safe to do so.