As I address you, we are just over 24 hours away from experiencing the beginning of what is expected to be the ferocious impact of Hurricane Igor.

We have all heard the reports from the Bermuda Weather Service that this storm will be a long and punishing one and the potential for injury and physical damage is great.

It is my sincere hope that you and your families take the remainder of today to finalise your hurricane preparations, by securing your homes, your property and ensuring that you have adequate supplies.

Earlier this morning the Emergency Measures Organisation met to get the latest update on Hurricane Igor and the status of preparations by the security forces and essential services.

I want to take this opportunity to assure the people of Bermuda that your Government is doing everything possible to ensure our preparedness prior to and post the storm.

There is no doubt that in the immediate aftermath of the storm, there will be a heightened level of activity with members of the public wishing to check on the wellbeing of their friends and family, and the status of their property.

I want to caution you though, that this will be a critical period of assessment by our Emergency Services personnel, such as Fire, Police and the Bermuda Regiment.

From a public safety stand point I am urging members of the public to refrain from travelling the roads to explore any damage that may have been caused. It will be imperative that a full assessment by our emergency teams is done as quickly as possible.

Let me take a few minutes to touch on some very critical points that residents should be aware of as the storm approaches.

• By late Sunday night, the worst of the storm will begin. It will be at its closest point of approach at 2:00 am Monday morning. We can expect sustained winds of up 90 knots and potential gusts of 110 knots.

The L. F. Wade International Airport is currently open, but it is anticipated that it will close late Saturday afternoon. It is expected to reopen on Monday following an assessment of the runway and the airport facility by the Department of Airport Operations.

• Weather conditions around the Causeway are being monitored. It is anticipated, that in accordance with established protocol, closure of the Causeway will be coincident with the onset of 50 knot Easterly winds. Currently that is forecast for Sunday afternoon. Once a decision is made to close the Causeway, the public will be notified in advance of its closure.

• Residents in low lying areas and who live along the water should be prepared for storm surge flooding and have already been contacted to make the necessary preparations to secure their properties.

• The Ministry of Culture & Social Rehabilitation has prepared and equipped the emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy. As of 5:00 pm today (Friday), members of the public seeking shelter can begin making their way to this facility.

• The KEMH has reported all is in readiness. The Lambe Foggo Urgent Care Centre will be operational. Nurses and a physician will be on duty at the facility. KEMH ambulances will also be stationed at the facility. The St. John Ambulance Brigade is also deploying an ambulance in St. George.

• Hotels and guest properties are in hurricane preparedness mode and have contingency plans in place. The Bermuda Department of Tourism is monitoring the approaching storm and is continuously liaising with the Bermuda Hotel Association to ensure that visitors have the latest information.

• The Government’s Emergency Assistance Organisation (EAO) will be ready to assist once the storm has passed. Please call the EAO at 292-6325 or 292-6339, should you require emergency help after the storm.

• The Bermuda Electric Light Company and the telecommunications companies have contingency plans in place to begin restoring service following the passage of the storm should that be necessary.

• There is a partial embodiment of elements of the Bermuda Regiment, and those soldiers are asked to report to Warwick Camp as ordered on Sunday. All remaining soldiers should be on standby for possible embodiment after the storm.

• The Bermuda Reserve Police are on standby for embodiment.

• The Emergency Broadcast station at 100.1 FM is the official source for information regarding the Hurricane as necessary just prior to, during and after the storm.

• The EMO will meet again on Monday after the passing of the storm to further update the public on any developments.

• The Ministry of Education wishes to advise that all Government Schools will be closed on Monday during the storm and Tuesday to allow a full assessment of schools prior to reopening.

• At this stage Government Offices will close on Monday.

• Government House has advised that a Royal Navy frigate will be on standby off Bermuda during the storm and will enter port following to lend assistance.

Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to commend the residents on their strength of spirit and courage, during what can easily be described as a challenging time for our Country. I also want to commend – you – the media for providing balanced and accurate information on this storm and encouraging our residents to take the threat seriously.

In recent years, we have witnessed the awesome power of Mother Nature and the devastation that hurricanes inflict on countries and communities.

None of us will soon forget Hurricane Katrina which devastated New Orleans and areas along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and South Florida in 2005.

Closer to home, we’ve experienced our own challenges with the unforgettable Hurricane Emily – 24 years ago and Hurricane Fabian in 2003.

Following each of these disasters, we came together as one to assist in rebuilding our communities.

And it is my genuine belief, that should we sustain serious damage in the wake of this storm, we will rally together once again to ensure that our Island is up and running as swiftly as possible.

It is also in this spirit of unity that I ask you to be mindful of your neighbors, seniors in particular and look out for one another during this testing time for our Island.

I would now like to invite Dr. Guishard to the podium to provide you with specifics on the weather.

Thank you.

The Island can expect tropical storm force winds sometime around midnight Saturday and even worse conditions late Sunday around midnight when the current forecast is for a direct hit. Residents are advised to take the warnings seriously as the Island has not experienced such an intense storm since Hurricane Fabian hit Bermuda in 2003.

By 3p.m. on Sunday, 50 knot east to south east winds are expected and winds will continue to increase and reach sustained hurricane force by 6 p.m. Sunday and continue through the night. If the island sustains a direct hit as is the current forecast, it also means 90-knot sustained winds with gusts above 115 knots (132mph); coastline areas can expect storm surges of 5 – 7 feet above normal tide levels; seas inside the reef are expected to rise 9 – 12 feet and outside the reef, there will be waves of 20 – 30 feet. The hurricane is also expected to drop as much as five inches of rain on the Island.

The EMO confirmed that Government Ministries, the Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and the Bermuda Police Service are all in a state of readiness for the hurricane. Scheduled airline flights to and from this Island over the weekend will be affected by the weather and airline passengers should check with their respective airlines.

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, Senator the Hon. Lt. Col. David A. Burch, OBE (Mil), ED JP said the EMO is monitoring the weather conditions. Further advisories will be issued by the EMO. “The Bermuda Weather Service will provide updates as required and I strongly encourage everyone to prepare” the Minister said. “In fact you should be getting prepared now – if you wait until Saturday evening, it will be too late.”

Minister Burch stressed that the safety of everyone on the Island is the number one priority and he discouraged persons from passing on rumours of information that has not officially been released by the EMO. “The EMO is the official voice of the hurricane,” the Minister added. “If it didn’t come from the EMO, it is probably incorrect information.”

For more information on Hurricane Igor, residents can tune in to or log on to the following:

• Hurricane preparedness: www.emo.gov.bm OR www.emobermuda.com
• FaceBook updates: DCI_Dept. of Communication and Information
• Online weather updates: www.weather.bm
• Televised weather updates: CableVision Ch. 4 and WOW Ch. 100
• For The Public Forecast: Dial 977
• For The Current Observation: Dial 9771
• For The Marine Forecast Dial: 9772
• For Latest Warnings & Tropical Information: Dial 9773

It is believed that more Bermudians per capita than any other country in the world volunteered to serve in the First Word War (1914-1918). They served in all of the great battles of the First World War, including the Battle of the Somme in France, which lasted for six months and claimed nearly a million lives.

After the First World War, the Government of the day promised a War Memorial and the Prince of Wales, later Edward VIII, laid the foundation stone in the Cabinet Grounds in 1920. A competition was held for the design. The Memorial was never built and pensions and benefits were never given to the returning soldiers.

After the Second World War (1939-45), there was no change in the Government’s attitude towards Bermuda’s returning soldiers, but a war memorial does exist for smaller separate units, like the BVRC Memorial in Victoria Park.

Bermuda’s military units were segregated at the time of the World Wars and the records of many soldiers, particularly black soldiers, have been poorly maintained. Many others do not exist at all. The current campaign aims at righting an historic wrong in the Bermuda community. The aim is to recognize appropriately the First and Second World War service of all of Bermuda’s residents. The new War Memorial will honour the sacrifice of every Bermudian man and woman who served in the Great Wars.

Until the Government amended the War Pensions and Services Act in 2007, Bermudians who served in the defence of Bermuda and nearly all black veterans and their widows received no acknowledgement or benefits.

The Government has extended benefits to veterans and widows to include free hospital treatment, respite and palliative care, a monthly pension and a funeral grant. There were extensive benefits available in the 1919 and 1947 versions of the War Pensions and Services Act, but unlike other Commonwealth countries which had similar Acts, the benefits were never made properly available in Bermuda.

It is to be noted that the Cenotaph, located on the Cabinet Grounds, is not a war memorial. Instead, it is an ‘empty tomb’ that reflects in abstract the ‘Glorious Dead’ who perished in the two World Wars. It is a miniature model of the Cenotaph in London.

The Ministry of Works and Engineering has launched an appeal to the community to ensure all their names are included on the War Memorial and the public is encouraged to contact Ms. Carol Everson at 533-4567 or via email at nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com to provide details of any Bermudian war veteran.

The standard rate of payroll tax will increase by 2 percent to 16 percent; the proportion payable by employees will rise 1 percent to 5.75 percent. The salary cap for payroll tax will increase from $350,000 to $750,000.

Other tax changes include a doubling of foreign currency purchase tax, a 5 percent increase in the cost of motor vehicle licences, and increases in stamp duty.

Late this afternoon, the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) met to discuss public safety precautions. Residents are advised that starting late Wednesday morning, wind and rain will steadily increase throughout the day and into the evening.

It is anticipated that throughout Wednesday the Island will experience wind gusts over 50 knots.

Severe weather will continue into Thursday, and the Island can expect to experience storm force winds, gusting to hurricane force, until around midday on Thursday.

The public is advised that the Causeway remains open. At the onset of the severe conditions, the Causeway will be closely monitored by the Bermuda Police Service and the Ministry of Works and Engineering.

All Government offices will be open for business on Wednesday morning.

In the interest of public safety the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, Sen. the Hon. Lt. Col. David Burch encourages all motorists, particularly cyclists to use “extreme caution” over the next two days when moving about the Island.

Additionally, residents are being advised to secure all boats, as well as outdoor furniture, garbage bins and any other items that could be blown about by the wind.

The public will be updated regularly throughout Wednesday and Thursday on further weather related developments.

To get the latest weather updates and advisories this weekend the public is encouraged to visit www.weather.bm or watch the local weather station on CableVision channel 4 or WOW channel 100. Alternatively members of the public can call the following numbers:

• For the Public Forecast Dial 977
• For the Current Observation Dial 9771
• For the Marine Forecast Dial 9772
• For latest Warnings & Tropical Information Dial 9773

Here’s the statement in full:

Good afternoon,

Thank you

Speaking of the creation of the new museum, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown said: “With a 99-year lease granted to the Museum by the West End Development Corporation, this is another example of how public / private partnerships can benefit Bermuda. Cabinet considers our 400th anniversary year an appropriate time to establish the National Museum of Bermuda.”

Mr. Robert Steinhoff, Chairman of the BMM said, “I am extremely proud of the creation of the new museum and I look forward to continuing our leadership in the preservation of our national treasures and serving Bermudians and visitors, alike.”

Dr. Edward Harris, Executive Director of the BMM, said, “The physical expansion of the Maritime Museum underscores its stature as a national institution. The Museum was established in the 10-acre Keep in 1974 and has successfully restored the great Commissioner’s House and other historic buildings of the Keep since then. I am delighted that Cabinet has acknowledged the evolution of the Maritime Museum into a National Museum.”

In addition to restoring Casemates and its associated buildings and forts, the Museum will expand its range of exhibits, and the nature of its research, publications and other programmes in order to help make Bermuda’s history and heritage accessible to the public.

In recognition of its national status, the Museum will admit local residents free of charge in December and January every year. Children will be admitted free of charge all year-round.

The breakfast briefing was held at Camden House and was attended by senior Bermuda and UK Government officials and executives from reinsurance and financial services in Bermuda.

The atmosphere was cordial and informal. By agreement, the discussions were off-the-record. Guests agreed that the meeting was very useful as a necessary interchange between partners.

Topics ranged from Bermuda’s unique role as a successful and credible leader as a financial services centre, despite its size; the necessity for Bermuda to ensure that independent observers comment favourably on Bermuda’s reputation; the importance of Bermuda having its own voice, despite the oversight role of the UK; and shared assessments of the continuing impact of the global recession on Bermuda and its partners.

Other guests at the breakfast briefing were: His Excellency, Sir Richard Gozney (Governor); Hon. Paula Cox (Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance); Philip Butterfield (HSBC Bermuda); Julian Cusack (Aspen Re); Peter Durhager (RenRe); Evan Greenberg (ACE); Peter Hinchey (Secretary to Secretary Miliband); Darren Johnston (KPMG); Brad Kading (ABIR); Don Kramer (ArielRe); Mike McGavick (XL); Arnold Minors (Press Secretary); Cheryl Packwood (BIBA); Donald Scott (Financial Secretary); and Alan Thompson (Butterfield Bank).

Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport Dr Ewart Brown, JP, MP said, “In July of 2008 Bermuda became the first country in the world to implement countrywide deployment of the Electronic Vehicle Registration Tagging System, or EVR as it is better known, to address the non compliant motor vehicles operating on Bermuda’s roads.

Since this time, TCD has been contacted by a number of jurisdictions who are considering this new technology to assist them in a like manner. I am pleased Barbados has taken an interest in the system and we will provide them with all the information they need.”

During their visit, the Barbados delegation will be advised on the consultation process Bermuda undertook, the legislative process put in place for the system to work as well as the challenges Bermuda has faced since implementing the EVR system.

The Queen will make official visits to the historic town of St George as well as the Royal Naval Dockyard. A Church Service at the Anglican Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Hamilton will see some lucky residents who submitted their names as part of a lottery, join a host of dignitaries at the historical service. Her Majesty will also attend an official dinner given by the Premier and Government of Bermuda.

The route of the Royal motorcade as it travels around the Island has been designed so that members of the public, school children and various youth groups will be able to meet or catch a glimpse of the Royal Party.

Government House said today that Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will be accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Miliband when their flight arrives in Bermuda on the afternoon of Tuesday 24 November, 2009. Her Majesty will be met by the Governor and Lady Gozney and the Governor will then present the Premier and Mrs Henton Brown to the Queen.

The Royal motorcade will leave the airport and arrive in St George at 3.20 pm. Her Majesty will be met by the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment, Lt. Col. Gonsalves and Mrs. Gonsalves. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will receive a Royal Salute from a Guard of Honour of the Bermuda Regiment. The Chief Justice, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and local Members of Parliament and their spouses will head the list of dignitaries on hand to meet Her Majesty and His Royal Highness.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will proceed to the Town Hall where they will be introduced to the Mayor of St. George’s Mariea Caisey; St George’s Alderman, Kenneth Bascome; Vicar of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Rev David Raths; Town Crier, David Frith and Chairman of the St George’s Foundation, Kenneth Snaith.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEIl__ZMCzE

Girl Guides and Brownie troupes, school children from east end schools and seniors together with some of those who re-enacted the Sea Venture landing in 1609, will join members of the public that are expected to gather along the sidewalks from King’s Square to Ordnance Island to see the Royal couple.

In the event of inclement weather, the Royal Party will visit the World Heritage Centre, via King’s Square, and will meet the various dignitaries inside the Centre. Opportunities to meet school children and other groups will be available as can be accommodated. The Royal motorcade will then travel to Government House, departing St George via Water Street. The Queen will hold a reception for invited guests at Government House.

On Wednesday, November 25 2009, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh will present Duke of Edinburgh Awards to Bermuda’s Gold winners and a few others at Government House. The Royal party will then travel to the Anglican Cathedral for a 10.30 am service celebrating Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary. The service will be attended by leaders of Christian denominations and other faiths. The arrival of the Royal Party and the church service will be covered by live television on ZBM and on CITV – the Government television station. In addition, monitors will be erected outside the church for the viewing convenience of the general public gathered outside the Cathedral.

Following the church service, the Royal party will head to Albouy’s Point at approximately 11.20 am where they will board a ferry to Dockyard. On their 11.40 am arrival in Dockyard, they will be met by Minister of Energy and Telecommunications, the Hon. Michael Scott, JP, MP; seniors, children from west end schools and members of the public. Here, the Royal Party will separate briefly, with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and Foreign Secretary David Miliband paying a visit to the sloop, the Spirit of Bermuda and Her Majesty being met by the Hon. Walter Lister, JP, for a tour of the Clocktower building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNtovSb6uDc

At the Spirit of Bermuda, Captain Simon Colley will be with about thirteen 16-year-old girls from Bermuda Institute who will be sailing that week as sail trainees. Mr. Walter Lister who serves as Chair of the West End Development Corporation will introduce members of his board; area MPs the Hon. Terry Lister, JP, MP, and Hon. Dennis Lister, JP, MP as well as the Deputy Chairman of St. John Ambulance.

Inside the Clocktower building, Her Majesty will watch Sandy’s Middle School children perform a short selection on Dockyard history before meeting some of the apprentices who were training when the Royal Navy facility closed in 1950/51 and who finished their training in Portsmouth. She will also see costumes depicting a traditional Bermuda wedding and a cedar carving demonstration will be conducted by Dr David Saul. Before departing the Clocktower building at 12.25 pm, Her Majesty will unveil a plaque by Mr Lister.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will then be driven to the Maritime Museum for lunch with Dr. Edward Harris and invited guests. An Honour Guard by the Bermuda Sea Cadets will greet their arrival. At the conclusion of the Maritime Museum visit, Her Majesty will inaugurate the mural of Bermuda’s history by local artist Mr Graham Foster. The Royal Party will proceed back to Government House via car.

Also on Wednesday November 25 2009, Foreign Secretary David Miliband will meet Dr Tony Knapp when he visits the Bermuda Institute of Oceanic Sciences.

On Wednesday evening, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will attend a formal dinner at Tucker’s Point, hosted by the Premier and Mrs Henton Brown.

In keeping with tradition that saw Her Majesty plant trees on Government House grounds during Bermuda visits in 1953, 1975 and 1994, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will plant two Royal Palm trees at Government House grounds before they depart Bermuda, 11.30 am Thursday November 26 2009.