Hurricane Shary passing to east of Bermuda

[October 30, 2010]  HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) -- Bermuda urged islanders to secure their boats as Shary strengthened to become a hurricane Saturday, but authorities said the storm was missing the tiny British Atlantic territory.

Authorities discontinued the tropical storm warning for Bermuda late Friday night and said Shary was moving well to the east of the island. The Category 1 hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

The darkening skies did not dampen the spirits of tourists like Bill and Margaret Breen, a married couple from Boston, who carried rain jackets as they strolled through Hamilton.

"We're flying home tomorrow afternoon, so the only issue could be the storm affecting the flight. But there would be a lot worse things than to stay another day," said Bill Breen, 45.

Derrick Binns, the permanent secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, called on islanders to tie up their boats and secure any outdoor furniture that could blow away in the wind. He also urged cyclists and motorists to be careful on the roads.

Shary is the 19th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Tomas had strengthened quickly Friday night with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph). Its center was about 20 miles (35 kilometers) south of Barbados.

Further strengthening was expected, with Tomas possibly becoming a hurricane later Saturday.

Hurricane warnings were issued for Barbados, Martinique, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while tropical storm warning were in effect for Dominica, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Grenada sent public workers home early and canceled evening activities including a concert by Jamaican artist Romain Virgo.

[Associated Press; By ELIZABETH ROBERTS]

Associated Press writer Linda Straker contributed to this report from Grenada.

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