Businesses and residents in Hamilton were urged to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Earl as it passes to the island’s east.

A spokeswoman for the City of Hamilton said: “Anything that can become a potential projectile must be stored safely, including wheelie bins.

“The last garbage collection in the city before Earl’s arrival is scheduled for 5pm this afternoon and all bins must be secured by business owners and residents after this time.

“Trash collection in the city will resume once it is safe to do so.”

She explained: “Through the week, city crews have been preparing Hamilton for the storm – trimming trees, removing street furniture, banners, flags and planters, and ensuring that all city storm drains are clear to lessen the risk of any potential flooding.

“The city parks crew is braced to handle significant leaf litter post-storm and asks for the public’s patience as we work to clear this debris.

“As it relates to any building closures or service disruptions, we will take our lead from the Government of Bermuda and follow their protocols accordingly.

“At this point in time, we will operate as normal.”

Businesses and residents were urged to check the city’s social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for any updates before and after the storm.