The Emergency Measures Organisation is likely to meet in the week ahead to assess Tropical Storm Nicole, predicted to become a hurricane tomorrow and pass close to Bermuda on Thursday.

Senator Jeff Baron, the Minister of National Security, said Nicole was being closely watched, and called on residents to make sure their storm supplies were topped up.

Mr Baron also advised locals to watch the regular updates of the Bermuda Weather Service, which is tracking the storm.

As of the BWS’s 6am update, the storm was about 438 nautical miles south of Bermuda, moving north at around 7mph (6 knots) and boasting sustained winds of 65mph (55 knots).

While the closest point of approach in the next 72 hours is expected to be 86 nautical miles south-southwest of the island, the storm appears to come closer to the island after that point.

The system is expected to pick up strength in the coming days, possibly reaching Category 2 strength for a period before dropping back to Category 1 before it passes the island.

Forecasts are limited to 72 hours, however, since storms can quickly change their course — as Hurricane Matthew has shown.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre has estimated that Bermuda has an 80 to 90 per cent chance of experiencing tropical storm-force winds within the next five days.

Seas around Bermuda are predicted to become rough this evening as Nicole continues to approach the island.

Meanwhile, the remnants of Hurricane Matthew are no longer being tracked. The storm cost hundreds of lives in Haiti, which took a devastating direct hit from Matthew in its southern Tiburon peninsula.

Close to a thousand people in Haiti are believed dead, and tens of thousands are without homes. The impoverished state, home to nearly 11 million people, is now in national mourning.

Mr Baron said he joined the community in expressing heartbreak at the “devastating and tragic” loss of life.

He added that he had reached out this weekend to the West Indian Association as a gesture of compassion and goodwill.

“It’s extremely heartbreaking to see the reports coming out of Haiti and to learn of the tremendous loss of life resulting from Hurricane Matthew. Our thoughts are with the entire nation of Haiti at this time. Hurricane Matthew by all accounts was a very devastating storm and its effects will be experienced for some time to come.”

Nicole, which has already briefly attained hurricane status, is testament to an unusual level of cyclone activity this late in the Atlantic season.