MONDAY 7/14/2008
Slow-moving tropical storm rakes Bermuda
HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) - Tropical Storm Bertha raked Bermuda with high winds on Monday while kicking up choppy surf and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast of the United States.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was 37 miles (60 kilometers) east-northeast of the Atlantic island Monday afternoon with sustained winds near 65 mph (100 kph) and higher gusts.

Dangerous rip currents were occurring from the Carolinas through southern New England, according to the Hurricane Center, and officials said that may have contributed to at least one drowning Saturday along a New Jersey beach.

The passing cyclone caused scattered power outages were reported across Bermuda, but authorities said there were no immediate reports of injuries in the storm-hardened British enclave.

Bertha was moving north at near 7 mph (11 kph). It was expected to bring 3-5 inches (8-13 centimeters) of rain to Bermuda. A turn to the northeast was expected Tuesday.

Over the weekend in Bermuda, most tourists avoided the storm-whipped surf and rip currents along the tiny island's southern coast and authorities began posting signs announcing beach closures. Residents taped up windows and secured boats.

JetBlue canceled Monday flights from Bermuda to Boston and New York, while American Airlines passengers scheduled to travel to Miami and New York were flown out on Sunday.

Bertha became the Atlantic season's first hurricane on July 7.

Meanwhile, Elida became the second hurricane of the Eastern Pacific region's season, scattering rains across Mexico's central coast.

But the storm, with winds of 80 mph (130 kph), was headed away from land. Elida was centered about 485 miles (785 kilometers) south of the tip of the Baja California peninsula and it was moving west at near 14 mph (22 kph).

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FRIDAY 7/11/2008 5PM
Hurricane Bertha heads toward Bermuda
HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) - Hurricane Bertha was spinning over open water and headed toward Bermuda.

Surfers and swimmers remained in the water despite reports of stronger surf and rip currents along the southern coast.

On Friday afternoon, Bertha's center was about 270 miles (435 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda. Forecasters said tropical storm conditions are possible in Bermuda by late Saturday night.

Bertha had maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph (150 kmh) with some higher gusting. It was traveling north-northwest at about 5 mph (7 kmh) and was expected to turn north in the next 12 to 24 hours.

The storm was expected to pass well east of Bermuda, although any inclination toward the west would create stronger winds.

Forecasters say the strength of the Category 1 storm could fluctuate in the next couple of days.

Bertha became the Atlantic season's first hurricane on July 7 and has vacillated between a Category 1 and 2 storm. The first named storm this year, Arthur, formed in the Atlantic the day before the season officially started June 1 and soaked the Yucatan Peninsula.

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FRIDAY 7/11/2008 11AM
Bermuda issues storm watch for Hurricane Bertha
MIAMI (AP) - Bermuda has issued a tropical storm watch for the island as Hurricane Bertha approaches.

Forecasters say tropical storm conditions are possible in the area by late Saturday night.

As of about 11 a.m. EDT Friday, Bertha's center was about 310 miles south-southeast of Bermuda.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane has maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph with some higher gusting. It's traveling northwest at about 6 mph and is expected to turn north in the next 24 hours. It could be close to the island by Saturday.

Bertha has been producing large swells and high surf there, and that's expected to continue over the next few days.

Forecasters says the strength of the Category 1 storm could fluctuate in the next couple of days.

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THURSDAY 7/10/2008 5PM
Hurricane Bertha weakens to Category 1 storm

MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha has weakened to a Category 1 storm as it heads toward Bermuda, but could re-strengthen in the next 24 hours.

Forecasters have been urging people on the island to monitor the storm's progress. They say Bertha has started producing large swells and high surf there.

It's still unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall. If it stays on the current track, Bertha will slowly approach Bermuda on Friday and Saturday.

As of about 5 p.m. EDT Thursday, the center of the storm was about 425 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are about 85 mph with some higher gusting.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane is traveling northwest at about 10 mph. It's expected to turn north and slow down in the next couple of days.

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THURSDAY 7/10/2008 11AM
Hurricane Bertha weakens to Category 1 storm
MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha has weakened to a Category 1 storm as it heads toward Bermuda, but could re-strengthen in the next 24 hours.

Forecasters have been urging people on the island to monitor the storm's progress. They say Bertha has started producing large swells and high surf there.

It's still unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall.

As of about 11 a.m. EDT Thursday, the center of the storm was about 485 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are about 90 mph with some higher gusting.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane is traveling northwest at about 9 mph. It's expected to turn and slow down in the next couple of days.

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WEDNESDAY 7/9/2008 5PM
Hurricane Bertha strengthens to Cat. 2
MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha has strengthened back to a Category 2 as it heads toward Bermuda.

It's unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall. Forecasters have been urging people on the island to monitor the storm's progress.

As of about 5 p.m. EDT Wednesday, the center of the storm was about 560 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and about 660 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are about 105 mph with some higher gusting. National Hurricane Center forecasters expect the storm to re-strengthen in the next 24 hours and could again become a major hurricane.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane is traveling west-northwest at about 12 mph.

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WEDNESDAY 7/9/2008 11AM
Hurricane Bertha could strengthen in coming days
MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha could become stronger in the next day as it heads toward Bermuda.

It's unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall. Forecasters have been urging people on the island to monitor the storm's progress.

As of about 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, the center of the storm was about 550 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and about 715 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are about 75 mph with some higher gusting. National Hurricane Center forecasters expect the storm to re-strengthen in the next 24 hours but say there is a lot of uncertainty in that prediction.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane is traveling west-northwest at about 12 mph.

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WEDNESDAY 7/9/2008 5AM
MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha could become slightly stronger in the next couple of days as it heads toward Bermuda.

As of about 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday, the center of the storm was about 560 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and about 790 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are about 75 mph with some higher gusting. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say it wouldn't be surprising if the storm re-strengthened in the next 48 hours.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane is traveling northwest at about 10 mph.

Bertha is expected to continue its path toward Bermuda. Forecasters have been urging people on the island to monitor the storm's progress.

It's unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall.

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TUESDAY 7/8/2008 5PM
MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters say Hurricane Bertha has weakened to a Category 1 storm.

As of 5 p.m. EDT Tuesday, the center of the storm was about 620 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands and about 900 miles southeast of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds decreased to 85 mph with some higher gusting. The storm is expected to continue weakening over the next couple of days. The Atlantic season's first hurricane is headed to the northwest at about 12 mph.

Bertha is expected to continue heading toward Bermuda. Forecasters urged people on the island to continue monitoring the storm's progress. Large swells and high surfs could affect portion of Bermuda late tomorrows.

It's unknown if or when the hurricane will make landfall.


(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)