Hurricane Ernesto has made its mark on Puerto Rico, causing widespread power outages and heavy rains just as it’s expected to strengthen as it heads toward Bermuda. By Wednesday, almost half of Puerto Rico—725,000 homes and businesses—were without electricity after the hurricane's strong winds left devastation behind.
The National Hurricane Center reported Ernesto as a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph early Thursday. By the morning, it had moved over open water about 675 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, gaining strength with the potential to become a major hurricane.
After affecting the Virgin Islands earlier, Ernesto continues to impact Puerto Rico with flooding rains. Heavy rainfall led to flash flooding, especially concentrated in the eastern and southern regions of the island.
More than 700,000 customers lost power initially, with LUMA Energy reporting outages increasing significantly as the winds gusted over 74 mph, their emergency crews still mobilizing late Wednesday. "This means private power companies need to address not only the immediate crisis but long-term services," said LUMA Energy CEO Juan Saca.
Crews attempted to restore power, but the challenges were immense, as nearly all customers island-wide had experienced outages at some point. Flash flood warnings persisted as rain continued to pour down, with reports of up to 10 inches falling over certain areas like Barranquitas and Villalba.
With nearly 80 shelters opened across the island and public schools closed, Governor Pedro Pierluisi mobilized the National Guard to forage aid and relief measures. Tragically, many had to prepare for the prospect of life-threatening swells along the coastline.
Prompting residents to brace for widespread outages, the governor highlighted the continuing frustrations stemming from the island’s vulnerable electrical grid. This system remains heavily reliant on outdated infrastructure, much of which was decimated during Hurricane Maria's catastrophic assault as recently as 2017.
Ernesto's heavy rains have not only knocked out power but have also disrupted water filtration at several plants across Puerto Rico. Accordingly, over 120,000 water customers found themselves without drinking water as the storm's ferocity interfered severely with regular operations.
The storm poses additional risks as it curves north, set to impact Bermuda with hurricane warnings already issued. Bermudians have been alerted to prepare for increasing winds and potential coastal flooding as Ernesto's track shifts toward their coastline.
Currently, the U.S. East Coast is also experiencing heightened risk for dangerous beach conditions as swells from Ernesto are expected to hit. Robbie Berg, warning coordination meteorologist, advised beachgoers to be cautious, noting, "Even beautiful weather can mask dangerous rip currents due to the storm's influence on surf conditions."
Should Ernesto pass near or just west of Bermuda as anticipated, it could bring as much as 8 inches of rain, with lesser amounts possible on the eastern side. Michael Weeks, Bermuda’s National Security Minister, echoed the urgency, informing residents: "Now is not the time for complacency."
Looking forward, experts predict Ernesto could strengthen to become at least a Category 3 major hurricane. The storm’s power is fed by very warm ocean waters, reminding us of the broader climate changes influencing storm frequency and intensity.
While Ernesto currently poses no direct threat to the U.S. mainland, meteorologists monitor the situation closely, and hurricane season continues to show signs of being exceptionally active. The National Hurricane Center indicates more tropical activity could arise later this month as August typically marks the busiest period of the hurricane season.
Despite the challenges presented by Ernesto, preparedness and community efforts are already underway, demonstrating resilience among the populace. Puerto Ricans, along with neighboring islands, will keep close tabs as they prepare for the storm's upcoming impacts.
With local and national authorities stressing the need for readiness, affected residents are reminded to stay informed and heed safety alerts. The storm’s evolution will be tracked closely as it approaches geographically sensitive areas, presenting dangers not only from its wind but also from the flooding rains it can produce.
