The Atlantic hurricane season of the year has already seen the arrival of Hurricane Ernesto, which wreaked havoc on Bermuda, leaving tens of thousands without power. The Category 1 storm brought winds of 140km/h to the island, causing widespread outages. Ernesto had previously impacted the Caribbean, leaving devastation in its wake. It was expected to slowly depart Bermuda and move towards Newfoundland and Labrador, potentially affecting other areas with dangerous surf and rip currents.
Officials in Bermuda took precautions by suspending public transportation and closing the airport before the storm made landfall. National Security Minister Michael Weeks warned residents that Hurricane Ernesto should not be taken lightly. Power outages affected thousands of customers on the island, with repair crews unable to work due to the dangerous conditions. In Puerto Rico, over 180,000 people were left without power two days after the storm, as the severe heat added to the challenges faced by residents.
Despite the difficulties faced in Puerto Rico and Bermuda, efforts were being made to restore power to the affected areas. In Puerto Rico, residents like Andres Cabrera in Carolina were struggling without power or water, relying on the wind for relief. Meanwhile, in the US Virgin Islands, 80% of customers had already regained power. Ernesto is the third hurricane in the already active Atlantic hurricane season, which is predicted to see an above-average number of named storms due to warmer ocean temperatures.
The National Hurricane Center provided updates on Ernesto’s impact in Bermuda, warning of strong winds, storm surge, and flooding. The storm was expected to move towards Canada, posing risks to other regions along the way. Meanwhile, the power utility BELCO in Bermuda reported widespread outages, with thousands of customers affected by the storm. In Puerto Rico, the challenges continued with power outages and water shortages, further exacerbated by extreme heat.
As the Atlantic hurricane season unfolds, forecasters predict continued activity with the potential for more named storms and major hurricanes. The NOAA has warned of an above-average season due to warm ocean temperatures, raising concerns for areas vulnerable to hurricanes. With Ernesto as the latest example of the destructive impact of these storms, residents in affected regions are urged to take necessary precautions and stay informed about the latest developments.
