Bermuda's government issues storm alert

HAMILTON - Bermuda's Government told residents to prepare urgently for powerful winds and high seas as Hurricane Florence steadily strengthened.

After gaining hurricane status on Sunday, the storm's maximum sustained winds increased to 145km/h, easily making it a Category 1 hurricane, the least powerful on the Saffir-Simpson scale, the US National Hurricane Centre said.

Forecasters predicted Florence would intensify to Category 2 as it passed Bermuda yesterday. Category 2 hurricanes have top sustained winds of at least 154km/h and are capable of moderate damage.

Bermuda Weather Service Director Mark Guishard said winds of around 160km/h were expected.

Florence, the second hurricane of the 2006 Atlantic season, was 300km south-southwest of Bermuda and moving towards the north at 20km/h.

The hurricane was expected to stay away from the North American mainland.

- REUTERS