Hurricane Ernesto, a Category 2 storm, is currently heading towards Bermuda, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. With maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, the storm is expected to strengthen further before passing near or over Bermuda on Saturday. Tropical storm conditions, including strong winds and potential life-threatening floods, are anticipated to impact Bermuda starting Friday afternoon.
Forecasters predict Ernesto to bring between 6 and 12 inches of rain, with isolated areas possibly receiving up to 15 inches. The hurricane is notably large, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 70 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 265 miles.
In preparation for the storm, Bermuda officials have announced the suspension of public transportation and the closure of the airport by Friday night. National Security Minister Michael Weeks has urged residents to complete their hurricane preparations promptly.
Bermuda, known for its sturdy construction and elevated terrain, is not as vulnerable to storm surge as low-lying islands. The archipelago, consisting of 181 small islands, rarely experiences direct hits from hurricanes due to its size and location.
Ernesto previously impacted the northeast Caribbean, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and water in Puerto Rico. Over 245,000 clients were still without power more than two days after the storm, highlighting the challenges faced by residents in the aftermath of the tropical storm.
Ernesto is the fifth named storm and the third hurricane of the current Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has forecasted an above-average season due to record warm ocean temperatures, predicting between 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes.
