Tropical Storm Mitch raced through southern Florida yesterday and set its sights on Bermuda, though reports last night indicated the killer storm was weakening.

Mitch was last reported 690 nautical miles west southwest of the Island and was tracking east northeasterly at 28 knots.

Forecasters were predicting that the storm would pass 80 nautical miles north northwest of the Island at 1 p.m. today, putting Bermuda well within reach of its extra-tropical force winds -- which extend some 200 miles from its centre.

Mitch was recording 55 knot -- winds with gusts up to 65 knots -- earlier in the day, but its strength diminished late last night with winds 35 to 45 knots, the Bermuda Weather Service reported.

While the storm left a trail of destruction behind it, no deaths had been reported in the southern US state as of last night.

Mitch is not expected to have any effect on Monday's General Election but if it were to remain in the area after today and gather enough strength to threaten polling then the appropriate steps would be taken, a Government spokesman noted.