Breaking News: People urged to prepare for Hurricane Bill today
Storm predicted to pack 110 knot winds
People are being urged to start preparing for Hurricane Bill today — and have everything in place by Friday morning.
The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) this afternoon convened a formal meeting to get an update on the storm’s progress.
Resulting from the information provided in the briefing, the EMO is advising the public to begin to prepare for the impending storm today, because Hurricane Bill is considered a potential threat to Bermuda.
Today’s meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Derrick Binns, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing and Police Commissioner George Jackson.
Dr. Binns said: “Based on our briefing today, the EMO is taking this storm very seriously. Residents should as well. We have learned from experience that hurricanes can cause tremendous destruction.
“We have a level of certainty that Bill will come quite close to the Island, therefore, by Friday morning, we are urging members of the public to have their preparations complete.”
Meanwhile Bermuda Weather Service Director, Dr. Mark Guishard advised the group that as of 4 p.m. today the storm’s closest point of approach is expected to be on Saturday, roughly between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., when the storm will pass some 150 nautuical miles west of Bermuda.
Currently, Hurricane Bill is a strong category two hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 90 knots, gusting up to 110 knots.
Dr. Binns said: “We have been following the storm closely since its inception, and today we reviewed our planning and procedures to ensure all are in sync.
“While we have not as yet issued hurricane warnings, I think it is important to advise residents to check their emergency kits to be sure supplies are adequate. A typical emergency kit would include items such as flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, non-perishable foods, an ample water supply and disposable utensils.
“Additionally, those residents with boats should make certain that their vessels are properly secured to prevent damage. It is also recommended that residents tie down any loose outdoor furniture or potted plants to prevent undue damage.”
The EMO is scheduled to meet again on Thursday morning to get an update on Hurricane Bill’s progress.
Over the next few days, the public are being encouraged to tune in to regular news reports and updates regarding Hurricane Bill particularly as it relates to possible changes in ferry and bus schedules.
For more information on Hurricane Bill, residents can tune in to or log on to the following:
* Hurricane preparedness: www.emo.gov.bm
* Online weather updates: www.weather.bm
* Televised weather updates: CableVision Ch. 4 and WOW Ch. 100
* For The Public Forecast: Dial 977
* For The Current Observation: Dial 9771
* For The Marine Forecast Dial: 9772
* For Latest Warnings and Tropical Information: Dial 9773
Hurricane Bill on August 18 
Following a period of steady intensification, Hurricane Bill is now a Category 4 major hurricane, as defined by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.

Bill formed on August 12 and became the 2009 season's first hurricane on August 17. For the past few days, the storm has been moving toward the west-northwest, but that is expected to change later this week as it turns more toward the north. After that, its track is uncertain, though National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasters believe the hurricane will pass between Bermuda and the United States.

As of 11 a.m. AST August 19 (0900 UTC August 19), Hurricane Bill was located within 15 nautical miles of 18.0°N 54.9°W, about 460 mi (740 km) east of the Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds were near 115 knots (135 mph, 215 km/h), with stronger gusts. Forecasters estimate the storm's minimum barometric pressure at 950 millibars.

Bermuda could be under the most significant threat from Bill, and officials there have been monitoring the storm's progress. Derrick Binns, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, reported that "We have been following the storm closely since its inception, and today we reviewed our planning and procedures to ensure all are in sync. While we have not as yet issued hurricane warnings, I think it is important to advise residents to check their emergency kits to be sure supplies are adequate." 
 

Bill is expected to spare the United States from any significant impact, but forecasters advise that since the storm is still several days away, nothing is certain. Indeed, residents of Long Island, New York are keeping a close eye on the cyclone's progress. 

Forecasters also warn that Bill could target parts of eastern Canada. Residents of Nova Scotia, mindful of the extensive damage from Hurricane Juan several years prior, are beginning to take precautionary measures. 

Regardless of its exact track, Bill will likely generate rough surf and dangerous rip tides along the coast of the U.S. and Canada. 

Tropical cyclones are known to be unpredictable, so interests in the regions potentially in Bill's path are urged to track the storm's progress over coming days and review emergency plans.