The first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic season knocked out power to around 7,500 homes on the affluent offshore finance center and tourist destination, but most had electricity restored within a few hours.

Skies cleared over Bermuda on Tuesday, and officials said there had been no injuries or significant damage due to Bertha’s passage.

Police reported that crews had to remove fallen trees from a roadway, and one vehicle had to be recovered after falling into a sinkhole.

Bertha’s influence was also felt hundreds of miles to the west along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States.

Large waves generated by the hurricane pounded beaches and created dangerous riptides in some areas. Two men died and one remained missing after being pulled out to sea by the strong offshore currents.

At its peak, Bertha attained Category 3 strength on the 5-level Saffir-Simpson scale of hurricane intensity. It broke a record by becoming the earliest storm to form so far east off the African coast since reliable observations began.

Some hurricane experts expressed concerns that such an early formation and rapid intensification could mean this hurricane season could become an unusually active one.

Wide-angle satellite view of Hurricane Bertha.

Hurricane Bertha track

Satellite Loop: University of Wisconsin
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