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9/6/11 (AEIN) The Bermuda Weather Service announced a Tropical Storm Watch on Tuesday morning as Hurricane Katia moved within 370 miles (around 600 kilometers) of the island. The category three storm continued to travel northwest at nine miles (15 kilometers) per hour, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters predict that Bermuda may face winds with tropical storm strength into Thursday, as well as one to two inches of rain. The island shores could also be subject to dangerous rip currents, along with the eastern U.S., the eastern coasts of the Bahamas and other islands in the region.
The storm remains strong, with top sustained winds of almost 120 miles per hour (195 kilometers) and stronger gusts. Hurricane strength winds extend about 65 miles (100 kilometers) from its center. Forecasters expect Hurricane Katia to travel between the U.S. east coast and Bermuda, losing some of its energy by Thursday.
A British territory in the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda is located about 652 miles (1,050 kilometers) east of North Carolina. Its economy relies heavily upon tourism. Bermuda consists of roughly 150 islands, although people only live on twenty of them, according to the "The World Almanac and Book of Facts."