Hurricane Bertha dies down

HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) - Bermuda is preparing for heavy rains and wind this weekend as Hurricane Bertha sputtered across the Atlantic.

The Bermuda Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning Saturday morning and the outer bands of Bertha threatened to sideswipe the island today.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm was barely a Category 1 hurricane and was slowly chugging north. The storm remained mostly stationary on Saturday, and even forecasters hit a lull: ''After a week or so ... I am running out of things to say about Bertha,'' read one official report.

Most tourists chose to hang out in pools and walk along the beach instead of battle the stronger surf and rip currents along Bermuda's southern coast. Signs have been posted announcing that beaches are closed.

''You can go out and swim if you like, but lifeguards will not come out and get you,'' said Darnell Joell, a bartender at Coco Reef resort.

Lifeguards at Horseshoe Beach blocked the shoreline with bright red tape and turned tourists away. Many lingered, however, taking pictures of the crashing waves.

On Saturday evening, Bertha was centered about 215 miles southeast of Bermuda and had maximum sustained winds of about 75 mph (120 kph) with some higher gusting.

The storm is expected to pass well east of Bermuda, although any inclination toward the west would create stronger winds.