Tropical Storm Ernesto is on the verge of becoming a hurricane as it navigates through the Caribbean, having just passed Puerto Rico late Tuesday.
In response, Puerto Rico has closed schools, activated emergency shelters, and safely relocated its endangered parrots to secure enclosures ahead of the storm.
As the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, forecasts indicate that Ernesto will strengthen while moving northeast of Puerto Rico toward Bermuda.
A hurricane watch is currently in effect for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as popular tourist spots like Vieques and Culebra off Puerto Rico’s coast.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami predicts further strengthening of Ernesto near the Virgin Islands.
The storm has already made its way over the U.S. Virgin Islands and is expected to head into open waters before reaching Bermuda by Friday.
Puerto Rico is experiencing heavy rains and strong winds as Ernesto approaches.
As of late Tuesday, Ernesto was located about 60 miles east-northeast of San Juan with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, moving northwest at 17 mph. Residents hurried to secure homes and businesses against the impending storm.
“I’m hoping it will pass quickly,” said José Rodríguez, 36, who was on the roof of his uncle’s wooden shack in Piñones getting things ready.
Puerto Rico’s Governor, Pedro Pierluisi, urged everyone to stay indoors and activated the National Guard for last-minute preparations, including the relocation of the island’s last remaining native parrots.
Ernesto Rodriguez from the National Weather Service advised residents to stay vigilant, as the storm’s path could still change.
Forecasters warn of dangerous conditions, including 20-foot waves, extensive flooding, and landslides, with up to 10 inches of rain expected in some areas, heightening the risk of flooding.
Puerto Rico’s already fragile power grid, which suffered damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017, could face additional stress, leading to possible widespread outages.
Blackouts have also been reported in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with schools closed and residents advised to remain alert.
Ernesto has already caused torrential rain in Guadeloupe, leading to road closures and water quality concerns, and created power outages in Antigua while forcing multiple flight cancellations to and from Puerto Rico.
This Atlantic storm has disrupted two Carnival cruise ships in its path. Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average hurricane season, expecting 17 to 25 named storms and four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher due to record warm ocean temperatures.
Last week’s storm Debby resulted in at least five fatalities in Florida, with 80 mph winds causing flash floods and tornado warnings as it swept through Washington D.C., delivering over a foot of rain in some areas.