1.   In Wilmington, wind gusts bent trees sideways, and torrential rain came in stinging, horizontal sheets.

2.   Other biking association members said they had seen live trees bent across the trails and tied to block passage.

3.   There are several hammocks strewn along the riverbank, all powered by gentle breezes off the water and shaded by bending trees.

4.   Bending trees to the ground and knocking out electricity, Hurricane Bertha bashed the Bahamas with high winds and heavy rain Wednesday as it churned toward the U.S. coastline.

5.   Even before it hit trees were bent double.

6.   High gusts bent palm trees.

7.   In St. Croix, raging winds bent palm trees to a third of their height and destroyed part of the boardwalk.

8.   In St. Croix, raging winds bent palm trees to a third of their height, shook parked cars and destroyed part of the boardwalk.

9.   Lightning flashed across San Juan Bay early Tuesday and gusting winds carrying a torrent of rain bent palm trees along the waterfront.

10.   Strong winds bent palm trees along the Honduran coast Tuesday, and heavy rain caused at least four rivers to overflow their banks.