Tropical storms become hurricanes far offshore

updated 9:30 p.m. ET July 18, 2008

MEXICO CITY - Tropical Storm Fausto became a hurricane Friday far off Mexico's Pacific coast, while Bertha strengthened back into a hurricane in the open Atlantic.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said neither storm is expected to threaten land. Tropical Storm Elida, far off Mexico's Pacific Coast, was also expected to stay in the open sea.

Bertha became a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph. It was located about 640 miles south of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and moving northeast at 22 mph.

Bertha battered Bermuda earlier this week, knocking out electricity to thousands on the Atlantic tourist destination.

According to the hurricane center, it is the longest-lived July tropical storm in history.

Hurricane Fausto had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It was centered was about 435 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, and was moving northwest at 13 mph.

Tropical Storm Elida continued to weaken, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The storm was expected to be a depression by Saturday.

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