Bermuda getroffen door orkaan Florence

Florence heads out to sea after brush with Bermuda


HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) -- Hurricane Florence moved toward the Canadian maritime provinces Tuesday, while Tropical Storm Gordon wasn't expected to threaten land as it spun over open waters in the Atlantic, forecasters said.
Florence, the season's second hurricane, blew out windows, peeled away several roofs and knocked out power to thousands in Bermuda on Monday as it sideswiped the wealthy British island chain before heading out over open ocean.
Authorities reported few minor injuries and no deaths. Officials at the Bermuda Zoo said two pink flamingos were killed by broken tree branches. (Watch how Bermuda avoided major damage -- 2:01)
The storm generated waves up to 17 feet off parts of the eastern U.S. coast, about 640 miles west of Bermuda, said Hugh Cobb, a meteorologist with the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
At 11 a.m. ET, Florence had top sustained winds of 75 mph and was centered about 715 miles southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland, the National Hurricane Center said. The hurricane was moving northeast at 23 mph.
"We are expecting (Florence) to begin accelerating north and northeast over the north Atlantic shipping lanes, and there should be some impact to the Canadian Maritimes," Cobb said.
If Florence stays on its forecast track, it would pass just southeast of Newfoundland during the next day or so, the hurricane center said.
Residents of extreme eastern Canada were advised to be aware of any watches or warnings associated with Florence.
Forecasters said Florence was expected to weaken further as it passes over cooler waters, moving close to or over Newfoundland later in the week before swerving into the North Atlantic.
But it was expected to remain a large, powerful cyclone for several more days.
The runway of Bermuda's international airport was scheduled to resume service Tuesday along with ferry and bus service. A causeway linking the main island with St. George's parish was reopened on Monday.
At least 18,000 homes and businesses were without power Monday evening, according to Bermuda's electric company. Crews with the territory's utility were trying to fix damaged lines across the archipelago.
Some people were unfazed by the latest storm to hit Bermuda, which enforces strict building codes to withstand rough weather.
"Everything is normal," said Rowena Smith, an employee at The Reefs, a cliffside resort on the vulnerable south shore. More than 80 guests stayed to ride out the storm at the hotel.
"They're in high spirits. We have a lot of repeaters in house, and they're having fun," Smith said.
Gordon likely to be a hurricane soon
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gordon formed in the Atlantic northeast of the Leeward Islands and was expected to become a hurricane within the next day or so, forecasters said.
At 11 a.m. ET, Gordon had top sustained winds of about 60 mph. It could become a hurricane, with sustained winds of 74 mph or stronger, as early as Wednesday, the hurricane center said.
Gordon, the seventh named storm of the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, was centered about 490 miles north-northeast of the Leeward Islands and moving northwest near 9 mph, forecasters said. A gradual turn to the north was expected.
It was much smaller in size than Florence and was expected to remain over open water away from Bermuda, forecasters said.
"At this point it looks like it will recurve out into the Atlantic," said Jamie Rhome, hurricane specialist. "However, people should be reminded that we are at the peak of hurricane season and they should be updated on hurricane supplies and have a hurricane plan."
The eighth tropical depression of the Atlantic season also developed Tuesday from showers and thunderstorms that moved off the coast of west Africa. The depression had 30 mph sustained winds and was centered 185 miles south-southeast of the southernmost Cape Verde islands.
The depression was moving toward the west near 18 mph, and it could become a named tropical storm Tuesday or Wednesday, the hurricane center said. Helene is the next name on the list.
The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and ends November 30.