Idalia dwindled yesterday afternoon from tropical storm status to a post-tropical cyclone as it headed out to sea from the North Carolina Coast — but is ranked as a threat to Bermuda.

The island is now under a Tropical Storm Watch, with Idalia projected to be at its closest point, about 70 miles to the island’s south-southeast, at 10pm tomorrow.

Michael Weeks, the national security minister, said officials were closely monitoring the storm.

“While we are all grateful that Hurricane Franklin passed the island without causing any major incidents, we continue to monitor post-Tropical Cyclone Idalia’s path.

“It’s imperative that residents take necessary precautions. It is essential for everyone to stay informed about the latest updates from authorities and to secure their properties to minimise potential risks.”

Tropical storm-force winds could begin affecting the marine area tomorrow, with deteriorating weather conditions from Idalia, which is forecast to strengthen.

Residents were urged to take precautions, including trimming loose branches and vegetation and securing their properties.

Yesterday at 6pm, Idalia was 510 miles west of Bermuda, heading east at 20mph, carrying winds of 63mph with gusts hitting 75mph.

The storm is predicted by the US National Hurricane Centre to slow significantly as it nears Bermuda, dropping to 60mph.

Forecasts have Idalia turning on to a northeasterly course likely to bring it almost directly to Bermuda this weekend.

Colder waters left in the wake of Hurricane Franklin will sap some of the storm’s strength before it regains tropical storm status nearer the island.

Idalia developed west of the Caribbean Sea, becoming a tropical depression on August 26 and ramping into a tropical storm the next day, after its winds reached speeds of 40mph.

It was reclassified as a hurricane after passing over Cuba on August 29 and strengthened to a Category 4 before impacting Florida with 125mph winds yesterday, killing at least two people and damaging thousands of homes in the state.

The hurricane gradually weakened and downgraded to a topical storm before reaching South Carolina with sustained winds of 65mph last night.

The Bermuda Weather Service confirmed that Hurricane Franklin, which passed 170 miles northwest of the island yesterday, no longer posed a threat.

As of noon, Franklin was 270 miles northeast of Bermuda, continuing to head east northeast at almost 14mph.

The island was fortunate to escape Franklin’s worst, according to Shelly Leman, Belco’s managing director of transmission, distribution and retail.

“While we did have some minor outages, these were predominantly caused by trees and foliage coming into contact with our overhead network,” she said.

The power company is monitoring Idalia, and Ms Leman urged residents to remain vigilant.

“The most important action residents and businesses can take to prevent outages is to ensure vegetation on their properties is trimmed at least 10ft away from Belco power lines.

“It is important to note that Belco does not offer a tree trimming service. Ensuring that trees on private property remain 10ft away from power lines is the sole responsibility of property owners.”

She said the power company ensured trees were cut back near its main line electrical circuits and some branch lines.

Property owners intending to trim trees must ensure that a power line’s electricity is disconnected before cutting back adjacent foliage.

To schedule a temporary disconnection for tree trimming safety, call Belco at 295-5111 or e-mail treetrimming@belco.bm.

Michelle Pitcher, director of the Bermuda Weather Service, said the agency logged 0.17in of rainfall during Franklin.

The strongest gust recorded at the National Museum of Bermuda’s roof sensor was 68mph, while gusts at LF Wade International Airport ranged from 48 to 58mph.

The airfield recorded sustained winds averaging 41mph, while the BWS navigational aid sensor picked up a maximum gust of 68mph.