Tropical Storm Bertha raked Bermuda with high winds on Monday while kicking up choppy surf along the East Coast of the United States.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the center of the storm was 60 miles southeast of the Atlantic island Monday morning with sustained winds of 65 mph and higher gusts.

JetBlue canceled Monday flights from Bermuda to Boston and New York, while American Airlines passengers scheduled to travel to Miami and New York were flown out on Sunday.

Bertha was moving north near 7 mph. It was expected to bring 3-5 inches of rain to Bermuda.

Sustained tropical storm-force winds of 55 mph mph were recently reported at Commissioner's Point in Bermuda.

Over the weekend, most tourists avoided the storm-whipped surf and rip currents along Bermuda's southern coast and authorities began posting signs announcing beach closures. Residents taped up windows and secured boats.

The National Weather Service said Bertha created tricky waves and currents along U.S. East Coast, and officials said that may have contributed to at least one drowning death Saturday along a New Jersey beach.

Bertha became the Atlantic season's first hurricane on July 7.