Swimmers are being urged to avoid the South Shore due to large swells and rip currents caused by a flurry of storms in the Atlantic.

Presently, there are two tropical storms active and a hurricane, one of which has a trajectory pointing towards Bermuda. Tropical Storm Josephine is not yet considered a threat, but meteorologists are monitoring its path closely.

Asked whether Josephine could pose a threat to the Island, National Hurricane Center meteorologist Dennis Feltgen told The Royal Gazette: "It is too early to make that determination but Bermuda residents should remain vigilant, and make sure they have all their hurricane supplies."

Bermuda Weather Service forecaster Nicole Hannon said last night: "That definitely can't be ruled out, but Josephine is a weak tropical storm and the latest forecast suggests it may die out altogether as it is not in an environment right now conducive to further development.

"That could however change. It could be a potential threat, but right now it's too far off to tell."

Josephine was last night 1,880 nautical miles (2,163 miles) to our east-southeast and was packing winds of 35 knots (40 mph) with gusts of 45 (51 mph).

Meanwhile to our south, Category Three Hurricane Ike is about to brush Florida and Tropical Storm Hanna looks set to swipe the Carolinas on the US East Coast.

The trio of storms have followed in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, which pounded the state of Louisiana earlier this week.

This year's Atlantic hurricane season has been unusually active so far, with three named hurricanes and seven storms.

While September is regarded as the peak month for hurricane activity, an average season (June-November) has 11 tropical storms, five of which are classed as hurricanes.

This week, Josephine became the tenth named storm this year, and the mid-September peak of the hurricane season still lies ahead.

Government yesterday warned the public against swimming off the South Shore due to 'high surf' and rip currents.

A spokesman said: "The Department of Parks today issued an advisory to the general public to use extreme caution while swimming on the South Shore as there are large swells that can cause potential danger to swimmers.

"For safety reasons, people are advised to swim at the safe beaches along the North Shore where the impact of the swells poses no threat."

The Lifeguard Superintendent placed 'High Surf' warning signs at: John Smith's Bay; Elbow Beach; Warwick Long Bay; Chaplin/Stonehole Bay; Horseshoe Bay; and Church Bay. Swells were yesterday estimated at 9ft, and officials also closed off the eastern end of Horseshoe Bay due to a large rip current.

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Hanna, the Bermuda Red Cross has launched an appeal to assist those in the Caribbean devastated by natural disaster.

Gustav killed more than 120 people in the region, while Hanna was responsible for 137 deaths in Haiti.

Thousands more families were left homeless, with Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and the Turks and Caicos Islands bearing the brunt of the devastation.

A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Red Cross said: "We are asking all of Bermuda to support the Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna Appeal Fund, to assist those in the Caribbean who have been affected by the devastation.

The focus of this Appeal is to provide immediate relief support including food, hygiene and shelter kits to those affected by flooding and shelter damage."

Donations can be made to the following accounts:

Bank of Bermuda: 010-187417-012

Bank of N.T. Butterfield: 20-006-060-401365-200.

Alternatively people can telephone the Red Cross at 236 8253 with their debit/credit card number, or post a donation to:

Bermuda Red Cross,

Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna Appeal,

Charleswood,

9 Berry Hill Road,

Paget, DV 03.