SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Hurricane Ernesto continues to make its way through the Atlantic Ocean as a category 2 storm, with its sights set on the island of Bermuda. The U.S. forecasters have issued a hurricane warning for Bermuda, as the storm is expected to bring high winds, heavy rain, and strong surf.
As of the latest report, Ernesto was located about 415 kilometers (258 miles) south-southwest of Bermuda and was moving at a speed of 20 kph (13 mph) towards the north-northeast. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 155 kph (about 100 mph).
The forecasters have predicted that Ernesto will produce 15 to 30 centimeters (up to 12 inches) of rain in Bermuda, with isolated maximum amounts of up to 38 centimeters (15 inches). This could result in life-threatening flash flooding, and officials in the British territory have already taken precautions by suspending public transportation and closing the airport by Friday night. National Security Minister Michael Weeks has urged people to complete their hurricane preparations by Thursday.
Initially, there were concerns that Ernesto would continue to strengthen and possibly become a major storm – a Category 3 hurricane or stronger – by the time it reached Bermuda. However, the forecasters now say that the strengthening has seemingly halted overnight, although the storm has not lost its power.
Ernesto is expected to strengthen further on Friday before passing near or over Bermuda sometime on Saturday. The storm’s size has also increased, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 110 kilometers (68 miles) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 425 kilometers (265 miles). This means that the life-threatening hazards from Ernesto remain unchanged.
While the storm is expected to remain well off the U.S. East Coast, forecasters have warned that it could generate swells along the shoreline into the weekend. These swells could pose a significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents. The northern Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas, could also experience high surf and rip currents in the next few days.
Ernesto has already caused damage in the northern Caribbean as it moved through on Wednesday. It brought heavy winds and rain, knocking out power, downing trees, and forcing schools and businesses to close in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Many homes and businesses on the island lost power due to the storm.
Ernesto is the fifth named storm and the third hurricane of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. The Associated Press has provided some information for this report.
As we continue to monitor the path of Hurricane Ernesto, it is important for everyone in the affected areas to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the storm’s progress. We urge everyone to follow the instructions of local authorities and complete their hurricane preparations as soon as possible.
Despite the potential dangers, let us remain positive and united in the face of this storm. Let us come together as a community to support and help each other during this time. Together, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.
We must also remember to keep our thoughts and prayers with those who have already been affected by Ernesto and other natural disasters. Let us offer our support and assistance to those in need, and show the world the strength and resilience of the people of Puerto Rico and Bermuda.
In the end, we will emerge from this storm stronger and more united than ever before. Let us stay safe and stay strong.
