Hurricane Florence hit Bermuda with strong winds and heavy surf on Monday and gained some strength as it swept just offshore of the mid-Atlantic British island. Bermuda was spared a direct hit by the eye of the storm, but forecasters said Hurricane-force winds extending up to 115 kilometers from the center could cause substantial damage. Florence s sustained winds grew from 130 kilometers per hour (kph) to 145 kph, and a wind gust was measured at 180 kph on the island, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. At least 23,000 homes and businesses were without power in Bermuda, the island s power company said, as the hurricane knocked down trees and utility poles. There were no immediate reports of severe damage or injuries. The hurricane was forecast to stay away from the North American mainland, but it has created heavy surf and strong currents along parts of the eastern United States and Canada.
