evacuate last night as Governor Zull Miller declared a state of emergency because of the approach of Hurricane Bertha.

Olympic sailors, including four from Bermuda, got in a last few hours practice yesterday before tying down their boats to await the 100 mile per-hour winds.

The sailors boarded up their Olympic dorm, on a barrier island, and were taken to a downtown Savannah hotel.

Olympic officials said 250 athletes and 800 staff members were evacuated from Savannah, where yachting competitions are to take place for the Games that begin July 19.

"We're in a hurricane mode,'' said Genevieve White, a spokeswoman at the venue.

As of late yesterday, Bermuda Olympic Association officials hadn't spoken with the four Island representatives, Peter Bromby, Lee White, Paula Lewin and Malcolm Smith. Each has their own boats with them.

"I suppose the fact we haven't heard anything is good news,'' said BOA secretary general John Hoskins.

Games spokesman Marcus Hutchinson said the athletes and staff voluntary left a marina at Wilmington Island, a barrier island. About 275 yachts were at the venue practising for the games. The larger yachts, 20 to 27 feet, were taken up the Wilmington River. The rest were being tied down on the day dock to await the hurricane, expected to arrive today.

Hutchinson said larger sailboats were being towed eight miles inland to the main Olympic Marina site in Savannah.

"All technology, computers, data bases are being removed from the site and are being stored in solid buildings,'' Hutchinson said.

HURRICANE HUR