Hurricane Ernesto, a powerful Category 2 storm, is rapidly approaching Bermuda, prompting officials to take immediate action to protect residents and infrastructure.
According to a report from the Associated Press, the hurricane was located 125 miles south-southwest of Bermuda as of Friday, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph.
The National Hurricane Center has warned that Ernesto's large eye is expected to pass very near or directly over Bermuda by Saturday morning. Tropical storm conditions, including strong winds and life-threatening floods, have already begun and are forecasted to persist through Saturday night. As a result, Bermudian authorities have urged residents to complete their preparations to protect life and property as quickly as possible.
In response to the approaching hurricane, Bermuda's government has implemented several emergency measures. Public transportation services will be suspended, and the airport is scheduled to close by Friday night. These precautions are aimed at ensuring the safety of residents and visitors as the storm approaches.
National Security Minister Michael Weeks highlighted the seriousness of Hurricane Ernesto, urging the community not to underestimate it. As of Friday, over 3,000 customers in Bermuda had lost power, signaling potential for more widespread disruptions as the storm continued.
The National Hurricane Center has provided detailed information about Hurricane Ernesto's size and potential impact. The storm is characterized as a large hurricane, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 75 miles from its center and tropical-storm-force winds reaching out to 275 miles.
Forecasters predict that Ernesto will bring significant rainfall to Bermuda, with expectations of 6 to 9 inches of precipitation. This heavy rainfall, combined with strong winds, poses a serious risk of flooding and property damage across the island. The hurricane's effects are not limited to Bermuda alone. The National Hurricane Center has warned that dangerous surf and rip currents may also impact the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, and Atlantic Canada in the coming days.
Bermuda, a British overseas territory, consists of an archipelago of 181 small islands with a total land area comparable to Manhattan. Despite its small size, the territory is known for its robust infrastructure and preparedness for tropical storms.
AccuWeather notes that direct landfalls of hurricane eyes are relatively rare in Bermuda. Since 1850, only 11 out of 130 tropical storms that have come within 100 miles of the island have made landfall. This historical data suggests that while Bermuda is frequently in the path of Atlantic hurricanes, direct hits are not common.
Before setting its sights on Bermuda, Hurricane Ernesto, then a tropical storm, caused considerable damage in the northeastern Caribbean. Puerto Rico, in particular, experienced widespread power and water outages that persisted for days after the storm's passage.
As of the latest reports, more than 200,000 out of nearly 1.5 million customers in Puerto Rico remained without power, while another 170,000 lacked access to water. The situation is particularly challenging due to ongoing severe heat advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
Andrés Cabrera, a 60-year-old resident of Carolina, Puerto Rico, described the difficulties faced by those without power or water: "It's not easy. [I'm relying for relief only] on the wind that comes in from the street."
Hurricane Ernesto, a Category 2 storm, is rapidly approaching Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The hurricane's eye is expected to pass very near or over Bermuda by Saturday morning, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding. Bermudian authorities have implemented emergency measures, including closing the airport and suspending public transportation. The storm has already caused significant damage in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, leaving hundreds of thousands without power or water.
