Roads and the airport will be closed this evening as the island prepares for a direct hit from Hurricane Ernesto.

As of the 9am update this morning from the Bermuda Weather Service, Ernesto had moved within 255 miles south-southwest of the island at a speed of 13mph.

The hurricane, now a Category 2 storm, had grown in intensity with sustained winds of 100mph and gusts to 120mph.

Its closest point of approach is projected to be 29 miles away — or directly over the island — at 11am on Saturday.

After a meeting of the Emergency Measures Organisation yesterday, Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security, warned those who had not completed their hurricane preparation measures to do so.

He emphasised that “time is running out”.

Mr Weeks also urged motorists to be off the roads by 7pm on Friday and throughout Saturday, when the storm will be at its closest.

A section of road between Watch Hill Park and John Smith’s Bay, both in Smiths, will be closed at 10am on Friday.

The Causeway will also be closed by 10pm today and throughout Saturday, with the Ministry of Public Works assessing the damage on Sunday to determine if it can be opened.

All bus services will be suspended by 8pm today, with the last bus running at 7pm. There will be no bus services on Saturday.

Ferry services are suspended and will resume once weather conditions allow.

Mr Weeks said that government offices will close at 4pm today, with the last customer to be served an hour beforehand.

He urged everyone to resolve government business before then.

The emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy in Devonshire will open at 6pm today and will stay open until conditions allow for safe closure.

Seniors and those without adequate shelter were urged to make use of the shelter.

The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre in St David’s will be operational from 8pm today and close once the Causeway has reopened.

Ambulance services will continue as normal during the storm.

The emergency radio station on 100.1FM will start its broadcast at 8pm on Friday.

Mr Weeks warned that LF Wade International Airport will close at 8pm today and urged those with flights over the weekend to check with their airlines for the status of their flights.

He said that Air Canada has already cancelled its Friday flight to the island.

Mr Weeks said that an American Airlines flight between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Bermuda scheduled to arrive on Saturday will now land today.

He also advised against swimming over the weekend because of “the increasingly dangerous seas”.

Mr Weeks said: “As a precaution, lifeguard services at Horseshoe Bay Beach will be suspended from 6pm today until further notice.

“Red, high-surf warning signs will be erected on beaches across the island this evening.

“Please adhere to these warnings and avoid all unnecessary risk.”

Those who get their trash collected over the weekend were asked to put it out today — but to bring it inside if not collected by 5pm and place it out again on Monday morning.

Mr Weeks said that the Tynes Bay Facility in Devonshire will be open between 7am and 7pm on Friday and be closed on Saturday.

He said that the EMO will meet again on Friday morning to give further updates.

Mr Weeks added: “I want to remind everyone that we are in this together.

“The actions we take now will help protect our island and our community.

“Please remain vigilant, stay informed and, above all, stay safe.”

A spokesman for the Royal Bermuda Regiment said that 125 members will be mobilised from Friday afternoon to help with hurricane response efforts.

In preparation for the hurricane, Warwick Camp has been secured, while kits and equipment are being checked as the regiment makes contact with its soldiers.

The spokesman said: “Regiment soldiers will be based in Warwick Camp and at Southside, St David’s.

“They will initially deploy across the island in order to clear vegetation from Bermuda’s roads in co-ordination with the department of Works and Engineering and Parks.

“They will also conduct reassurance patrols and provide support to the community to facilitate post-storm recovery.

“When the seas state allows, the RBR Coastguard will resume patrols to ensure maritime safety and support post-storm recovery.

“We encourage everyone to take Hurricane Ernesto seriously, and to finish preparations early.”

A 6pm update from the Bermuda Weather Service showed that Ernesto’s closest point of approach within the next 72 hours will be at noon on Saturday, when the system will be about 35 miles west of Bermuda, though this could change.

The storm is expected to reach Category 2 strength by 3am on Friday, but will weaken back to a Category 1 by 3pm on Saturday.

Ernesto is about 449 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and is moving northward at 13mph, with maximum wind speeds at 92mph and 115mph gusts.

The US-based National Hurricane Centre warned in its 9pm update that conditions on the island were expected to deteriorate come Friday afternoon, while dangerous rip currents were expected along the US East Coast over the weekend.

It said: "On the forecast track, the centre of Ernesto is expected to pass near or over Bermuda on Saturday.

“Strengthening is forecast during the next day or two, and Ernesto could become a major hurricane by Friday.

“Ernesto is forecast to be a large hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday.“

The BWS issued a hurricane warning this morning after the storm developed into a Category 1 hurricane yesterday.

Ernesto was packing sustained winds at midday of about 86mph and was expected to strengthen even more later today, becoming a Category 2 on its approach to the island.

The BWS said: “Over the past two-day period, BWS has recorded over two inches of rainfall.

“A hurricane watch was put into effect just before the shift began.

“We continued to monitor the progress of Hurricane Ernesto, which was moving north of the Caribbean and making its way into our area.

“NHC guidance has Ernesto rapidly intensifying as it makes its way towards Bermuda.”

Its forecast for tomorrow and Saturday added: “Tropical-storm-force winds gradually increase towards hurricane force, with dangerous seas building rough to very rough and long period swell creating hazardous conditions.

“Seas continue to increase in advance of the onset of hurricane force winds expected to impact the marine area by early Saturday morning.”

As the hurricane passes, the BWS said: “Life-threatening sea conditions are expected as seas are expected to reach up to 30ft outside the reef.

“Along with the hazardous seas, we are also expecting a significant storm surge, potentially more than two feet, to impact Bermuda as the centre of Ernesto passes just to our west.”

The weather service noted that Saturday’s high tide coincided well with the hurricane’s closest point of approach.

It added: “This indicates that we will see significant impacts in coastal areas, particularly on exposed coastal areas and south-facing shorelines including the Causeway and St George town square.

“Significant rainfall amounts are expected to continue and will likely result in localised, potentially dangerous flooding in isolated and low-lying areas.”

Ernesto has already delivered heavy rains to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, leaving thousands of people without power.

• UPDATE: this article has been updated with the latest figures from the Bermuda Weather Service