Puerto Rico has activated the National Guard and canceled the start of classes in public schools in preparation for Tropical Storm Ernesto, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. The storm, the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, is currently located about 230 miles east-southeast of Antigua with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for various areas including Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, and others. Forecasters have warned of potential floods and landslides as Ernesto is expected to move over or near Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday evening.
Puerto Rico's emergency management commissioner emphasized the need to remain vigilant, stating that over 340 shelters are available across the island if needed. More than 200 National Guard personnel have been activated to assist with preparations and response efforts.
The National Weather Service in San Juan predicts between six to eight inches of rain, with higher amounts in isolated areas, and the possibility of hurricane-strength wind gusts. Officials have cautioned about potential power outages due to the fragile state of Puerto Rico's power grid, still recovering from Hurricane Maria in 2017.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, similar concerns exist, with island-wide blackouts announced on St. John and St. Thomas. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. urged residents to take the storm seriously and ensure preparedness.
Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane early Thursday as it turns north toward Bermuda, with some forecasts suggesting it could strengthen into a major Category 3 storm. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, with 17 to 25 named storms and the potential for four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
