After knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans, Ernesto strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane late on Thursday as it sped toward Bermuda, posing a significant threat of damage over the weekend from strong winds and heavy rain.
According to the National Hurricane Center’s early Friday update, Ernesto had sustained winds of 100 mph and was 360 miles south-southwest of Bermuda. The storm, which is moving at 14 mph, is expected to begin dumping a lot of rain on Bermuda on Friday and then pass close to or over the island on Saturday.
NHC Warning
The NHC issued a warning, “Preparations on Bermuda should be completed before Friday afternoon. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.”
The deluge that occurred on Wednesday was still affecting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands at this time. As many as 730,000 utility customers in Puerto Rico were without power at one point. According to the LUMA Energy website, approximately 241,812 homes and businesses—or 16% of customers—were still without power as of Friday at 3 a.m. ET.
Threats to Low-Lying Areas
Puerto Rico was still under flood warning as rivers continued to rise and posed a threat to low-lying areas and neighborhoods. The British Virgin Islands and the United States of America each received half a foot of rain in the last 48 hours, while parts of southeastern Puerto Rico received 10 inches.
From late Thursday into Friday morning, the National Weather Service issued river flood warnings for portions of western Puerto Rico. Noting that the majority of flood-related deaths occur in automobiles, the San Juan office advised residents to exercise extra caution while driving at night.
Cruise Disruptions
The National Hurricane Center predicts that on Thursday, waves that could result in dangerous surf and rip current conditions will move toward Bermuda and the rest of the Bahamas.
Cruise ships continue to be disrupted as Ernesto moves through the Atlantic. The intensifying storm altered the itineraries of several Carnival and Norwegian cruises this week, with some omitting Puerto Rico or the eastern Caribbean altogether.
Beachgoer Caution
Beachgoers from Florida to Nova Scotia are being warned of dangerous rip currents and surf along the Atlantic Coast beginning on Friday and continuing through the weekend as the hurricane moves north. Although Ernesto may not come any closer to the shore than 800 miles away, dangerous rip currents and life-threatening surf are anticipated along the East Coast.
The U.S. Lifesaving Association warns that rip currents can rapidly increase in speed and pull people away from the shore. A scientific analysis of the nonprofit organization’s data reveals that rip currents are responsible for more than 100 deaths annually in the United States. Additionally, they are responsible for about 80% of beach lifeguard rescues.
High-Surf Advisory
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, North Carolina, it is “best to stay out of the ocean Friday through Sunday (at least),” the agency anticipates issuing a high-surf advisory for breaking waves of six feet or larger on Friday.
The weather service stated that high surf along the Maine coast over the weekend will be a concern as Ernesto moves northward.
Hurricane Maria Memories
The hurricane center stated, “Beachgoers should be aware of a significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents, and stay out of the water if advised by lifeguards. Surf and rip currents are also possible on the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas during the next few days.”
As the aftermath of Ernesto brought back memories of the devastating 2017 hurricane Maria, hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans had to deal with temperatures in the mid-90s and high humidity without power or running water.
Record-Setting Temperatures
A day after Ernesto caused widespread flooding, high winds, and significant damage to the fragile electrical grid of the U.S. territory, the National Weather Service office in San Juan reported a record-setting temperature of 95 degrees at Puerto Rico’s largest airport on Thursday.
Additionally, the storm produced southern winds that had a heating effect. As a result, the weather service issued an advisory stating that “a period of dangerously hot and humid conditions are expected” across northern Puerto Rico. These conditions prevailed in the days following Maria, which caused approximately 3,000 deaths and kept large portions of the island in darkness for several weeks.
Experiences on the Ground
Ramón Mercedes Paredes, 41, a construction worker, told The Associated Press that he wanted to spend Thursday night outside to cool off. He stated, “I haven’t slept at all. I haven’t even been able to take a shower.”
Jason Lawrence spent the entirety of Wednesday getting ready for Ernesto, but the Bermuda resident does not appear to be in any kind of panic. Before he brought his outdoor furniture inside his house and nailed plywood over the windows, the lifelong Bermuda resident had four of his boats taken out of the water and tied down.
Securing Homes
Additionally, Lawrence, 38, assisted his brother and parents in securing their homes. He unpacked Thursday’s deliveries of canned goods, bread, water, and batteries at his Spanish Point grocery store, M. Soares & Sons.
He stated, “I feel like most people are all getting their plywood and bunkering down today. This afternoon and tomorrow should be pretty busy for us in the grocery stores.”
Weathering the Storm
With his wife and two young boys, Lawrence intends to weather the storm at his north shore home, just yards from the ocean.
He stated, “We don’t really start to panic unless it gets up into a Category 3. The structures down here are different from those in the States. The houses stand up well, so once you’re all packed up you’re pretty good.”
Hazardous Weather Conditions
Ernesto “is forecast to be a large hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday,” according to the National Hurricane Center.
Michael Weeks, the Minister of National Security for Bermuda, advised residents and visitors to get ready for Ernesto’s arrival immediately.
According to Weeks, the storm will bring with it a flurry of hazardous weather conditions, such as heavy rain, a high storm surge, and strong winds, which will result in a “high likelihood of the loss of electricity across the island,” which has approximately 65,000 people living there.
