Hurricane Florence spares Bermuda... but Gordon is close behind

Hurricane Florence breezed by the British island chain of Bermuda early this week, knocking out a few windows and peeling off roofs, but leaving the colony largely unscathed, thanks to the island's long-time strict building codes. An employee at the cliffside Reefs resort reported an unworried atmosphere during the storm to the Associated Press, "We have a lot of repeaters in house, and they're having fun."

Only a few minor injuries and no deaths were reported as a result of the storm. Bermuda's International Airport and its ferries and bridges were back in operation on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Gordon, the seventh named tropical storm of the 2006 season, formed in the Atlantic northeast of the Leeward Islands and while headed in the general direction of Bermuda is expected to miss the island. Gordon is moving at a speed of approximately 8 mph and has sustained winds of near 60 mph.

Norwegian Cruise Line, whose Norwegian Crown and Norwegian Majesty cruise ships were en route to Bermuda at the time of the storm were delayed in arriving at Bermuda, as they took a southerly route as opposed to the usual direct route from the United States. After the ships' arrival, the itineraries were not expected to change. A statement from NCL restates the importance of passenger safety to the line and advices that the company will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Gordon.