Record Breaking "BIG" Bertha Bertha, the first (Cape Verde) Atlantic hurricane of the 2008 season was contrary to the regular pattern of hurricanes as they usually form in the western Caribbean at this time of the year. On July 7th, 2008 Bertha reached Category 1 hurricane status (maximum sustained winds 74-95 miles per hour (119-153 km/hr), storm surge 45 feet above normal, making her the most easterly formed hurricane during the month of July since her name-sake, Bertha, in l997. As well, she would set another milestone as the longest surviving Atlantic July tropical storm on record - she raged from July 7 to July 20, 2008 - l7 days (maximum strength - category 3 - July 8). During her run she experienced great fluctuations in short periods of time from explosive intensification to rapid loss of strength. As intensity changes are extremely difficult to forecast she was a very unpredictable storm. Bertha's zig-zag track was well east of the lesser antilles island chain as she made her way north. By the time she reached the top of the island chain she had become a very large hurricane reaching 180 miles out from her 50 mile diameter eye. She brushed by Bermuda (7/15) at tropical storm status with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (gusting 60), high surf and seas. She ended her record breaking run just off of Newfoundland.