Bermuda issues storm warning as Hurricane Bertha loses force

Slow-moving Bertha barely clung to its hurricane status as it hovered near Bermuda late Saturday, but forecasters said it could pick up speed and still deal a glancing blow to the island.

The Bermuda Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning as Bertha’s outer bands were expected to brush the island in the coming days.

Most tourists chose to hang out in pools and walk along the beach instead of battle the stronger surf and rip currents along Bermuda’s southern coast. Signs have been posted announcing that beaches are closed.

“You can go out and swim if you like, but lifeguards will not come out and get you,” said Darnell Joell, a bartender at Coco Reef resort.

Lifeguards at Horseshoe Beach blocked the shoreline with bright red tape and turned tourists away. Many lingered, however, taking pictures of the crashing waves.

The US National Hurricane Center said the storm was barely a Category 1 hurricane and had come to a virtual standstill late Saturday about 215 miles (345 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda. Even forecasters hit a lull: “After a week or so... I am running out of things to say about Bertha,” read one official report.

The center said Bertha was expected to resume its northward drift in the coming days, passing southeast of Bermuda, kicking up surf and dumping up to 2 inches of rain on the island. The center’s hurricane tracking map showed Bertha sideswiping Bermuda on Monday, a day later than earlier forecasts.

David Nardella, who was visiting from Ohio, remained on the beach with his wife and young son.

“Hurricanes are fun,” he said. “We’re not hoping for a direct hit, but I’m hoping that as a 5-year-old, Ryan can understand hurricanes aren’t always bad if you are safe enough.”

On Saturday night, Bertha was centered about 215 miles (345 kilometers) southeast of Bermuda and had maximum sustained winds of about 75 mph (120 kph) with some higher gusting.

Rain had already started falling at Elbow Beach by midday on Saturday, driving tourists away.

But many remained largely unconcerned.

“It’s not really going to hit that hard,” said Eilif Kenny, 21, who is visiting from Ireland. “If it was, I’d go stay in the holiday apartment, and I’d be under the bed.”

Bertha became the Atlantic season’s first hurricane on July 7 and has vacillated between a Category 1 and 2 storm.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Elida formed off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Saturday.

The hurricane center says Elida, the fifth tropical storm of the Pacific season, has sustained winds of nearly 60 mph (95 kph), with higher gusts.

On Saturday night, Elida was located about 205 miles (325 kilometers) southwest of Acapulco and was traveling west-northwest at near 16 mph (26 kmh).

The center said Elida could become a hurricane on Sunday or Monday, but is expected to remain well south of the Mexican coast over the next two days.