Residents were warned last night to “start preparing now” as Hurricane Teddy continued to pick up strength on its approach to Bermuda.

Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier, said: “Make that list you had for Hurricane Paulette and revise it.

“Repeat collecting necessary supplies to prepare. Check on family members, check on neighbours, particularly the elderly — check everyone.”

Mr Roban added: “This is now the time for us to get ready. Bermudians, residents, we know how this is done.”

The storm was labelled a potential threat to the island last night by the Bermuda Weather Service because it is forecast to be within 450 miles to the southeast of the island at 6pm on Saturday. It is expected to get closer after that.

Teddy packed maximum sustained winds of 100mph with higher gusts at 6pm yesterday. It was expected to gain strength tomorrow, probably becoming a major Category 3 hurricane, before it weakened to a Category 2 hurricane by Sunday morning.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre said in its 6pm update: “Teddy is moving towards the northwest near 13mph and this general motion is forecast to continue for the next few days.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 100mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected over the next day or so, and Teddy is expected to become a major hurricane during that time.

“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 220 miles.”

The storm was about 1,240 miles southeast of the island at 6am today.