The five-day forecast track from the National Hurricane Center at 11 a.m. July 7, shows Hurricane Bertha about 775 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands.
MIAMI – The National Hurricane Center said Monday morning that Hurricane Bertha most likely would reach Category 2 strength later today.
Bertha, the first hurricane to form during the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season has been traveling west-northwest over open tropical Atlantic waters since it formed as a tropical storm near Cape Verde Islands on July 3.
If the latest forecast track holds true, Bertha should not threaten the United States; however, forecasters are advising people in Bermuda to keep a close eye on the storm.
As of 11 a.m., maximum sustained winds were near 90 mph with higher gusts. A Category 1 hurricane has winds between 74 and 95 mph.
Emergency officials urge residents to stay in tune with local forecasts and stay prepared throughout hurricane season. For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit TBNweekly.com’s Hurricane Guide.
![[Image]](/content_images/070708_fpg-01.gif)
