Claims News Service, Sept. 14, 11:10 a.m. EST — Guy Carpenter, aglobal risk and reinsurance specialist and a part of the Marsh& McLennan Companies, is reporting that Tropical Storm Helenebecame the eighth named storm of the 2006 hurricane season in theNorth Atlantic when it developed last yesterday evening. The stormis located in the mid-Atlantic and packs sustained winds of around40 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center(NHC). Helene is traveling in a westerly direction and a gradualturn toward the west-northwest is expected during the next 24hours. Tropical storm-force winds extend 85 miles from the centerof the storm.

The NHC said Helene is expected to strengthen over the next fewdays and possibly become a Category 1 hurricane by Saturday.Further intensification is expected thereafter. The long-termforecast for Helene has the storm continuing its track across theAtlantic while strengthening into a Category 2 hurricane. The NHCsaid Helene is not expected to hit any land areas in the next fivedays and it is too soon to determine its path beyond the forecastperiod.

Sources: National Hurricane Center, Associated Press, ReutersNews