Residents are being urged to stay indoors as Hurricane Rafael passes the Island.The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) today said that Hurricane Rafael is forecast to reach its closest point of approach to Bermuda at 8pm.. The centre of the storm will pass just over 100 nautical miles to Bermuda’s east south east, however tropical storm force winds extend nearly 200 miles from the centre.National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief asked residents to be cautious and “consider remaining indoors during peak winds expected late afternoon through evening”.Elevated and exposed areas, especially those on the eastern end of the Island could experience winds of 40 knots, gusting to 65 knots mainly when heavier showers/thunderstorms pass over the area during this time.Tides, which are already higher than usual due to the spring tides, will become high around 10pm tonight. Areas that are prone to flooding in spring tide events will be affected during this time, especially with heavier rainfall as shown on Bermuda Weather Service radar.Bermuda is under a Tropical Storm Warning, and will remain so until the passage of Hurricane Rafael. Public Schools and Government offices remain open today.Mr Perinchief said: "The latest update from the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) as of the 12 noon advisory, is for Hurricane Rafael to pass approximately 100 miles to Bermuda's east south east this evening.“Rafael is expected to bring storm force winds and rough seas. I urge the public to exercise caution and remain indoors during the heaviest winds and thunderstorms which are expected early this evening. Residents should stay tuned to the local media for EMO updates during the day and once home after leaving work people should strongly consider staying indoors during the peak between 6pm and 8pm this evening.”Ferries* The Department of Marine and Ports has advised that the Sea Express service to Rockaway, Cavello Bay, Watford Bridge and Dockyard at 4:20 pm and 5:30 pm from Hamilton is scheduled to operate as normal. The Paget/Warwick Pink Route will operate with the last ferry departure from Hamilton at 6:20 pm.Buses* The Department of Public Transportation has advised that the last bus runs from Hamilton, Dockyard and St George’s will be at 7.45pm. Supervisors will survey the bus routes in the morning on Thursday, October 17. If the routes are clear, service will resume as normal at 6.15am.City of Hamilton garbage collections:The City of Hamilton today announced the administration offices in City Hall will close at 5:00pm this evening.Retailers and restaurants are urged to put out their garbage as soon as possible to ensure it is collected this evening. The last pick up will be at 6:00pm. In the interest of public safety, all garbage that is not put out in time for this evening’s collection should be kept indoors until the next scheduled collection, tomorrow morning.It is anticipated that all city services will return to normal tomorrow.Cancellations:* The Acting Cabinet Secretary and Head of Civil Service Dr Derrick Binns this afternoon said that Government offices will close at 4pm so that employees can make any final preparations before the strongest winds from Hurricane Rafael impact the Island this evening.* The Progressive Labour Party wishes to advise that tonight's session of the Annual Delegates Conference, the "BIG Night" featuring a closing speech by the Party Leader and Premier Paula Cox has been postponed due to the inclement weather associated with Hurricane Rafael.An updated schedule of the Annual Delegates Conference will be issued as soon as alternative arrangements are confirmed.* Flight cancellations: West Jet flight 2710 from Toronto and expected at 1.43pm; US Airways flight 1424 from Philadelphia due at 1.44pm; United flight 1419 from Newark and expected at 3pm; British Airways flight 2233 expected at 6.30pm.* The two evening American Airlines flight arrivals have been rescheduled for tomorrow morning. American Airlines flight 308 from Miami will arrive tomorrow at 9.35am and depart at 10.32am. American Airlines flight 1416 from NY JFK will arrive tomorrow at 10:15am and depart at 11:00am.* The Department of Marine and Ports (M&P) has advised that Sea Express the S. George’s ferry service has been suspended until further notice. An hourly service between Hamilton and Dockyard is currently operating until further notice. M&P advised that they intend to provide service to Rockaway, Cavello Bay and Watford Bridge at 4.20pm and 5.30pm from Hamilton and a final decision on running these services will be made no later than 3pm and will be based on conditions at that time. The ferry Resolute will be the only ferry operating to the West End for the duration of this day. All other vessel are being secured at their perspective berths. An advisory for Pink route service will also come at 3pm.* The 3rd Annual Business Networking Matters event has been cancelled and will be held in November to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week. For those who have already registered and paid for the seminar, we will honour all tickets on the new date and if for some reason they can’t attend on the new date a refund will be issued.* Bermuda College will be closing at 5 pm today. All night classes have been cancelled due to the approach of Hurricane Raphael. The College is in the midst of its mid-term exams and those classes scheduled for Tuesday evening, will be re-scheduled and students contacted via College e-mail. Bermuda College will resume its normal business operations and class schedules on Wednesday.* The Community Education and Development Programme wishes to advise students that due to the latest weather forecast and numerous inquiries, ALL CEDP classes will be cancelled for this evening.* Archery at Windreach has been cancelled for tonight. Also, it should be noted that due to other scheduled events, there will be no archery at Windreach next week October, 23. The next night of shooting will be Tuesday, October 30.* The Bermuda National Library has advised they will close early at 5 p.m. instead of the usual closing time of 7 p.m.Early closuresBELCO and Bermuda Gas will be closing early today at 4pm. The Cashiers windows are included in the early closure. BELCO apologises for the late notice of this decision. We are closing early to ensure that our staff are safely home and have time to complete storm preparations before Hurricane Rafael reaches its closest point of approach to Bermuda.Logic administrative offices will close as of 3:30 today and Logic retail store will close as of 4pm due to Hurricane Rafael. BTC's cashier services will also be closing at 4pm due to Hurricane Rafael.This is the detailed weather forecast:Public Synopsis - As hurricane Rafael makes its approach today, rain and showers will increase, heavy at times with risk of thunder, as winds increase toward tropical storm force with higher gusts this afternoon and tonight. Rafael will pass to our east by late evening with gradual improvement overnight. Beware of hazardous surf and rip currents along the south shore. Today - Cloudy with rain and showers, heavy at times, risk thunder... Winds east-southeasterly moderate to strong gusts to strong, soon backing northeasterly and increasing strong to gale force with gusts to storm force... High near 26°C/79°F.Tonight - Cloudy with rain and showers, heavy at times, risk thunder... Winds northerly strong to gale force gusts to storm force, increasing at times gale force to storm force with gusts to storm force, then backing northwesterly strong late night... Low near 22°C/72°F.Detailed marine forecast:Marine Synopsis - As hurricane Rafael makes its approach today, expect widespread rain and showers, heavy at times with possible squalls and risk of thunder, as winds increase to tropical storm force with higher gusts this afternoon and tonight. Rafael will pass to our east by late evening with conditions easing overnight. Southeasterly swells will increase through evening. Today - Winds east-southeasterly 15 to 25 knots gusts to 35 knots, soon backing northeasterly and increasing 35 to 45 knots with gusts to 60 knots... Widespread rain and showers, risk of thunder with poor to very poor visibility. Rapidly building southerly swells... Seas inside the reef 3 to 5 ft... Outside the reef 12 to 18 ft, increasing during the afternoon... Sunrise: 7:24 am.Tonight - Winds northerly 35 to 45 knots gusts to 55 knots, increasing at times 40 to 50 knots with gusts to 65 knots, then backing northwesterly 25 to 35 knots late night... Widespread rain and showers, risk of thunder with poor to very poor visibility. Building southerly swells, beginning to decay late night... Seas inside the reef 3 to 5 ft... Outside the reef 15 to 24 ft... Sunset: 6:44 pm.* If you have an event that has been cancelled e-mail jdeacon@royalgazette.bm and we can publicise it here.