Bermuda's Emergency Measures Organisation will today discuss plans for the approaching Hurricane Bertha — although the storm was last night downgraded to a Category One.

Forecasters said Bertha — which at 6 p.m. yesterday was 780 miles southeast of the Island and heading northwest — is weakening and will continue to do so for the next two days.

They said it was expected to miss Bermuda and may only be a tropical storm when it passes 300 miles to the east on Saturday at 9 a.m.

This afternoon, Public Safety Minister David Burch will be given a formal briefing from the EMO, at a meeting involving representatives of the Ministry of Health, Works and Engineering, Tourism and Transport, Police, Fire, Government House and the Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting was arranged yesterday afternoon, while Bertha was graded Category Two. Sen. Burch said in a statement: "We have been closely following the storm since its inception, and the meeting will afford us an opportunity to ensure that all of our planning is in sync.

"Following the meeting, I will be able to provide a more comprehensive briefing for residents.

"However, outside of the preparation undertaken by the EMO, I want to remind residents that in the event of a storm the best defence is to ensure that their emergency supply kits are updated."

Such a supply would include items like flashlights and batteries, a first aid kit, nonperishable foods, water and disposable utensils.

Chief Inspector Tyrone Smith of Bermuda Police Service told The Royal Gazette: "The meeting will just be to look at logistics and determine additional shelters and any other plans.

"The indication is that the hurricane is turning away from Bermuda, so we don't want to alarm people."

At 6 p.m. yesterday, Bermuda Weather Service said Bertha was moving north west at ten knots with maximum sustained winds of 75 knots and gusts of 90. The service's website described the hurricane as a potential threat to Bermuda. Tom Moore, lead meteorologist of The Weather Channel, said on the group's website that Bertha was weakening partly due to the cooler waters it has passed over.

Bertha, which formed on Thursday near the Cape Verde Islands, is the second storm and first hurricane of 2008.

Forecasters have predicted 15 storms for this year with eight expected to reach hurricane strength, with four considered intense.