Bermuda under tropical storm watch

Satellite image of Florence, taken Wednesday

Florence weakens off North Carolina coast

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Still weakening, Tropical Storm Florence could brush by Bermuda as it moves slowly away from the United States, forecasters said Thursday. A tropical storm watch was issued for Bermuda.

At 5 p.m. EDT, Florence's center was about 535 miles (856 kilometers) west-southwest of Bermuda, near 29.2 north latitude and 73.0 west longitude.

Florence is drifting to the southeast near 3 mph, and a motion toward the east is expected to begin within the next 24 hours.

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Although the storm's sustained winds had weakened to near 45 mph, Richard Pasch of the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Florence could reach Bermuda as early as midday Friday.

"If it follows the forecast track, then they will be right on the edge of the tropical storm-force winds," Pasch said.

"Florence will continue to generate dangerous surf and rip currents along portions of the Southeastern U.S. coast, particularly along the North Storm weakens off North Carolina coast but could strengthen, forecasters say Outer Banks," Pasch said.

Forecasters also are monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean that dumped heavy rains on western Cuba and parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane Florence spinning in place, no threat to land
September 12, 2000
Tropical Storm Florence forms, builds strength in Atlantic
September 11, 2000

National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service

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