BERMUDA, Canada braces as hurricane approaches
OFFICIALS in Bermuda are urging residents to take precautions and prepare for the worst as Hurricane Leslie heads towards the island bringing with it powerful winds and heavy rains. The Category 1 storm, which is expected to hit Bermuda this weekend, was about 715 kilometres south-southeast of Bermuda, early Thursday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. According to the centre, Leslie could become a Category 2 hurricane by Friday. After it passes across Bermuda, the system will move quickly into Atlantic Canada waters early next week. Residents, travellers and fishing interests from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to Prince Edward Island, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Newfoundland are advised to keep a close eye on Leslie and be prepared for tropical storm or hurricane conditions early next week. Leslie is expected to generate rough surf and increase the number and strength of rip currents along much of the eastern coast of the United States through the weekend.