hurricane florence attained category 1 intensity on three separate occasions in mid-september 2000. the tenth tropical cyclone and sixth named storm of the 2000 atlantic hurricane season, florence developed on september 20 from a cold front to the southwest of bermuda. initially a subtropical cyclone, it quickly organized, attaining hurricane status twice in a two-day period before weakening while remaining nearly stationary. florence accelerated northeastward, reaching peak winds as a hurricane after passing near bermuda. on september 17, the storm was absorbed by a larger extratropical cyclone. hurricane florence threatened bermuda during its third time at hurricane intensity, bringing tropical storm force winds to the island but causing no reported damage. however, three deaths in north carolina were blamed on rip currents triggered by the hurricane on september 12.