Hurricane less organized but could strengthen

Published: 21 Aug 2009 01:38:53 PST

MIAMI, Aug 21 - Hurricane Bill became less organized on Friday as it pursued a path that would take it between Bermuda and the eastern United States, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Bill, a Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale with steady 120 mph (193 kph) winds, still had the potential to strengthen, the center said. A tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch were issued for Bermuda.

At 5 a.m. EST/0900 GMT, the hurricane's center was about 425 miles (680km) south of Bermuda. Satellite imagery showed that it had become less organized in the past few hours.

It was expected to pass between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda on Saturday.

Canada's East Coast oil producers were monitoring Bill's forecast path, which is expected to take it over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland on Sunday and Monday.

There was no threat to U.S. oil facilities.