Bermuda prepares for tropical storm

HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) — Bertha weakened to a tropical storm Sunday but could still deal a glancing blow to this British territory in the Atlantic, forecasters said.

Bertha’s outer bands were expected to brush the island in the coming days. Several business owners expected to send workers home by noon today as a preventive measure, while residents began taping windows and securing boats.

“Bermudians are pretty used to this,” said local resident Ruth O’Kelly-Lynch, 25. “We’ve been through this several times, so everyone’s relaxed but prepared.”

The storm is already being blamed for the drowning deaths of two swimmers and the disappearance of a third off the New Jersey coast, where the U.S. National Weather Service said Bertha kicked up tricky surf.

JetBlue canceled today’s flights from Bermuda to Boston and New York, while American Airlines passengers scheduled to travel to Miami and New York today were flown out Sunday. British Airways said it would announce today whether it will cancel an evening flight to London.