Leslie strengthens into hurricane with Bermuda in its sights
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The sixth hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season, Leslie is moving slowly toward Bermuda.
Bermuda needs to be on high alert for a direct hit per the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Fla. Warnings of a strong category 2 (border-line Cat 3) hurricane is in effect for the weekend.
Leslie's maximum sustained winds strengthened Wednesday and are now 75 mph, passing the hurricane threshold of 74 mph.
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Swells from Leslie continued affecting the U.S. 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.
Leslie is centered about 470 miles south-southeast of Bermuda and moving north-northwest near 2 mph.
Farther out, Tropical Storm Michael is moving slowly north in the Atlantic but poses no threat to land. Michael's maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.