Hurricane Bertha: Natural Hazards

Tropical Storm Bertha swept past Bermuda on July 14, 2008. The storm system had fallen from hurricane strength, but it still packed winds of 100 kilometers per hour (55 miles per hour) around the storm center. The island of Bermuda is no stranger to severe storms, and had battened down in preparation. There were widespread power outages, but no serious damage or injuries were reported, according to the Associated Press on July 15. Rip tides and surf were unusually strong not only in Bermuda, but along much of the east coast of the United States, due to the winds and waves from the storm system.