By Nicola Muirhead and Tyler Clifford
Bermuda braces for Hurricane Ernesto, a potent Category 2 storm expected to unleash severe rainfall and hazardous flooding this weekend. Positioned 180 miles southwest of the archipelago at 2 p.m. Atlantic time, Ernesto is moving at 14 mph with sustained winds reaching 100 mph. The U.S. National Hurricane Center predicts landfall on Saturday morning, setting the stage for significant storm surges by the afternoon.
Bermuda residents, including Warren Darrell of Smith’s Parish, have prepped for the hurricane by securing homes and stockpiling supplies. Winds and heavy rains have already begun to impact John Smith’s Bay, with government officials closing a causeway bridge linking the Main Island to St. George’s Island on Friday night. Meanwhile, activity on the south shore includes sightseers and a windsurfer navigating growing waves.
The storm, on a north-northeast path, is anticipated to slow and weaken on Saturday before potentially regaining strength on Sunday. NHC Director Michael Brennan indicates hurricane conditions may persist through the weekend.
Ernesto’s earlier trek near Puerto Rico caused substantial power outages, affecting about 250,000 homes and businesses. Despite ongoing reconstruction efforts since Hurricane Irma, Puerto Rico’s power grid remains vulnerable. The grid’s fragility and continuing financial instability highlight persistent challenges despite federal investments.
As the fifth named Atlantic storm this season, Ernesto follows Hurricane Debby, a Category 1 storm that recently impacted Florida and the Carolinas.
(Reporting by Nicola Muirhead in Bermuda and Tyler Clifford in New York; Additional reporting by Laila Kearney and Liya Cui; Editing by Frank McGurty, David Gregorio, and Sandra Maler)
Original Story https://www.livemint.com/news/bermuda-battens-down-as-hurricane-ernesto-approaches-11723834792399.html
Category :
Tags:
