Hurricane Florence continued to bear down on Bermuda this morning with the latest estimates putting its closest point of approach at 36 nautical miles west of the Island at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

With winds of 70 knots gusting to 85 knots, the massive storm was upgraded to hurricane status this morning, and the Bermuda Weather Service was predicting the Island would experience tropical storm force winds this afternoon and tonight with hurricane force winds hitting the Island early tomorrow morning.

The storm was 287 nautical miles south of Bermuda moving north-northwest at 13 knots at 6 a.m. this morning.

Minister of Labour Home Affairs and Public Safety Derrick Burgess said yesterday afternoon that latest reports from the Bermuda Weather Service showed the storm had slowed and shifted slightly to the west of Bermuda.

Mr. Burgess said: "Residents in low lying areas and who live along the water should be prepared for storm surge flooding and we are asking that these persons make the necessary preparations,? said Mr. Burgess, who warned that there is also a tornado risk.

There has been partial embodiment of the Bermuda Regiment, and those soldiers have been asked to report to Warwick Camp at 5 p.m. today, said Mr. Burgess. All remaining soldiers should be on standby for possible embodiment after the storm.

All Reserve Police Officers should contact the Reserve Headquarters immediately after the hurricane for deployment.

The shelter at CedarBridge Academy in Devonshire has been prepared and equipped.

?Anyone in the East End or in low lying areas is encouraged to make their way to CedarBridge,? said Mr. Burgess. Government will move those in emergency housing to the venue tomorrow morning and the shelter will open at 1pm to the general public.

Mr. Burgess also announced that:

-- All Government schools and Government offices will be closed tomorrow.

-- Bermuda International Airport closed as of 10 p.m last night. It is expected to reopen on Tuesday.

-- Hotels are in ?hurricane preparedness mode? and have a contingency plan in place.

-- Bermuda Police Service and the Ministry of Works and Engineering continue to monitor the Causeway. If a decision is made to close the Causeway, the public will be notified at least an hour prior to its closure.

-- Ferry services ceased at 4.30 p.m yesterday. Buses were due to stop at 1 p.m today .

Belco has advised that due to the sustained winds there may be prolonged periods of power outages throughout the Island.

?In the interest of public safety, if you don?t have to travel tomorrow (Sunday), we are asking residents to please stay home. We are urging the public?s cooperation so that emergency vehicles will have free passage on the roads. Also we are discouraging the public from sightseeing as this puts everyone at risk,? said Mr. Burgess.

The Emergency Measures Organisation will meet again tomorrow after the passing of the storm to further update the public.

Once Florence has passed, the public should call the EMO at 292-6325 or 292-6339 if they require emergency help.

Acting Premier Neletha Butterfield also spoke at the press conference. Premier Alex Scott is on vacation and has been unable to secure transport back to the Island.

Ms Butterfield said leader of the Cayman Islands Government, Kurt Tibbetts had called her to offer Bermuda any assistance that it needed.

She said that those who were veterans of 2003?s Hurricane Fabian ? a category three hurricane that claimed four lives ? should reflect on how devastating storms can be.

?We have shown at times of need, Bermudians rise to the occasion,? said Ms Butterfield.

She went on to thank the emergency services.

?While many of us will be at home with our families, these men and women will be working around the clock.?

Speaking after the press conference, Acting Police Commissioner Roseanda Young said Bermuda was prepared for Florence, with hundreds of staff from Government agencies and the emergency services on standby.

?It?s astronomical in terms of numbers,? she said.

She added that all tourists have been issued with emergency plans by their hotels. Those at low-lying premises will be moved if necessary.

?All tourists have been given the opportunity to leave. Those still here have chosen to stay,? said Mrs. Young.

She added that arrangements have been made for tourists to leave the island even after the airport shuts tonight if they wish to.

?Private jets and other commercial airlines will be available to assist,? she said.

British Airways' flight to London was the last flight to leave Bermuda this eveing before the closure after American Airlines cancelled its New York and Miami flights today. Normally, the planes remain in Bermuda overnight.