Winds whip Bermuda as hurricane passes

HAMILTON, Bermuda – Fierce waves pounded Bermuda’s shores and strained yacht moorings late Sunday as winds tore at trees and signs while a weakened Hurricane Igor passed just west of the wealthy British enclave.

Bermudans stayed battened down in their homes in a pelting rain to wait out Igor, which was barely a Category 1 hurricane. Its sustained winds were clocked at 75 mph as Igor neared the island, although a gust of 93 mph was reported, the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The wind whipsawed trees and power poles, knocking out electricity in many parts of the island. But there were no early reports of major damage.

Igor’s eye passed about 40 miles west of Bermuda, the U.S. hurricane center said. But hurricane-force winds extended up to 90 miles from the eye.

The storm was expected to veer northeast – away from the United States – after passing Bermuda. Forecasters said it would continue causing high surf and strong rip currents along the U.S. eastern seaboard.