Leslie Becomes Season's 6th Hurricane

Forecasters say Leslie has strengthened into the sixth hurricane of the Atlantic season but still remains far from land. Current models show Leslie could speed up and pass over or near Bermuda in the coming days. Swells from Leslie have been affecting the US East Coast, as well as Bermuda, the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

The US National Hurricane Center in Miami said Leslie was 465 miles south-southeast of Bermuda. It had top sustained winds of 75mph and was nearly stationary, moving north at just 2mph. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Michael was gaining strength farther out to sea. It was over open waters and did not pose a threat to land. (More Hurricane Leslie stories.)