MIAMI – Bermuda was keeping an eye on Hurricane Gert that could begin affecting the British Overseas Territory over the next few days with “life threatening surf and rip current”.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the hurricane, packing winds of 75 miles per hour (MPH) was located at 450 miles west of Bermuda.
The NHC said that while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, the hurricane is moving is moving toward the north near 12 mph and a turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later on Tuesday.
It said maximum sustained winds remain near 75 mph with higher gusts.
“Gert has the opportunity to gather some strength later today or Wednesday,” the NHC said, noting that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the centre and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
“Swells generated by Gert will spread northward along the east coast of the United States from North Carolina northward to Long Island during the next couple of days. Swells are also expected to affect Bermuda during the next couple of days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,’ the NHC added. (CMC)
