Residents should expect business as usual despite the expected impact of Hurricane Rafael later today, the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) has advised.A storm warning went into effect yesterday as Hurricane Rafael approaches the island. At last check the storm was expected to pass some 116 miles to the east south east of Bermuda at 9pm today.National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief emerged from an EMO meeting yesterday as said: “We are expecting the storm to pass to our east and it will therefore be business as usual.”Minister Perinchief urged residents to be prepared and monitor the storm for any change in strength and direction.Public cchools will be open today as will all Government offices. The Sea Express ferry service and Department of Public Transportation will run commuter services in the morning and will assess the weather as the storm moves closer.The latest weather forecast information will also be monitored closely by the Department of Airport Operations to assess developments and will make “any determination on potential airport disruptions based on updates from the Bermuda Weather Service”.According to an advisory issued at 9pm yesterday, Category 1 Hurricane Rafael was situated some 471 nautical miles south of Bermuda and moving north westerly at nine knots, with maximum sustained winds of 75 knots with gusts to 85 knots.Residents are advised to check their emergency kits to be sure supplies are adequate, although the latest forecast shows the island will not experience hurricane force winds today.Typical emergency kits should include flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, non-perishable foods, an ample water supply and disposable utensils.An updated Disaster Advisory Plan is also posted on the Government Portal on the Ministry of Health website. Residents can also tune in or log on to the following websites:lHurricane preparedness: “http://www.emobermuda.com” www.emobermuda.comlOnline weather updates: “http://www.weather.bm”lTelevised weather updates: CableVision Ch 4 and WOW Ch 100lFor The Public Forecast Dial 977lFor The Marine Forecast Dial 9772lFor Latest Warnings & Tropical Information Dial 9773lGovernment’s Emergency Broadcast station is on 100.1FMlFor the Current Observation Dial 9771Hurricane season officially began on June 1 and concludes on November 30.Organisers for a number of events are watching the storm closely before postponing schedules. A town-hall meeting to be held this evening at 6.30pm at St Paul’s Centennial Hall has been postponed.The ‘Commissioner’s Town Hall Meeting’ will be rescheduled and a new date will be announced in due course.