Bermuda under storm warning as Bill revs up
MIAMI (AP) – Bermuda issued a tropical storm warning Thursday as Hurricane Bill regained some of its muscle, while dangerous waves and riptides were likely along most of the eastern U.S. coast over the weekend.
The Category 3 storm’s top winds increased to 125 mph, and forecasters warned it could return to Category 4 strength by Friday as it feeds on warm Atlantic waters. The stronger designation comes from winds that exceed 130 mph.
“It’s moving over waters of 84, 85 degrees Fahrenheit, which could provide some fuel to it. We still think it could restrengthen back into a Category 4. The environmental conditions appear to be right,” said Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center.
The storm warning means winds of 40 mph or more are expected to arrive within a day, and the island remained under a hurricane watch that indicates even stronger winds are possible within 36 hours.
The warning came a day after former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, arrived in Bermuda on Wednesday for a 3- or 4-day getaway.
The government urged islanders to secure boats and finish other storm preparations by Friday afternoon. Officials put up warning signs at beaches along the south shore because of large swells and dangerous rip currents expected ahead of the storm. Home Affairs Minister Walter Roban urged people not to swim until further notice.
Some flight delays are possible, said Aaron Adderley, general manager of Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport.
“At this point, it’s fair to say that one can expect some disruption – but to what extent, remains to be seen,” he said.
At the 9 Beaches resort on Bermuda’s western coast, general manager Robin Gilbert said some guests are leaving early but that roughly 100 were planning to stay.