Jul 10, 2008

MIAMI (AFP) — Hurricane Bertha barreled steadily northwest towards the British islands of Bermuda Thursday, and could sweep over them in the next few days, the US National Hurricane Center said.

The first hurricane of the 2008 season, Bertha's maximum winds slowed to 90 miles per hour (150 k/h), weakening it to a Category One hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. But the Miami-based Center warned it could re-intensify.

Although still some 485 miles (785 kms) southeast of the islands, Bertha was moving towards Bermuda at a speed of nine miles an hour (15 k/h), and already causing heavy surf along the island's shores.

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