The Tribune

HAVING brushed the Bahamas over the weekend Tropical Storm Bertha strengthened into a hurricane yesterday as it churned northwards far from land and posing no direct threat to the US mainland.

The centre of the storm is expected to stay offshore as it passes wide to the east of the US over the next few days and is also likely to miss Bermuda. Bertha could brush Canada’s easternmost provinces as a post-tropical storm later this week.

The storm strengthened to a hurricane yesterday morning with maximum sustained winds near 80mph and is expected to start to weaken today. Yesterday afternoon the hurricane was centred 230 miles northeast of Great Abaco and moving north at 17mph.

On Sunday, the storm buffeted the south eastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos with rain and gusty winds, after passing over the Dominican Republic and causing temporary evacuation of dozens of families as its downpours raised rivers out of their banks.

As the storm headed away officials yesterday discontinued storm warnings and coastal watches. There were no reports of damage and residents reported mostly sunny weather.

“We had some cloudiness earlier this morning. But right now it is sunshine, no breeze,” said Bernard Ferguson, an employee at a resort on Crooked Island.

On Inagua, the archipelago’s southermost island, people had been advised on Saturday to finish preparations for protecting their properties. But many islanders instead focused on completing a popular sailing regatta before the storm ruined the fun.

“We’re all partying because it’s homecoming regatta. Honestly, no one’s focusing on the weather,” said Shakera Forbes.

While there will be no direct impact on the US mainland, Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the US National Hurricane Centre in Miami, warned coastal residents not to let their guard down. “We’ve still got the peak of the season to go on the Atlantic side, mid-August to mid-October,” Mr Feltgen said.