Current:Home > ContactHurricane Ernesto makes landfall on Bermuda as a category 1 storm -EliteFunds
Hurricane Ernesto makes landfall on Bermuda as a category 1 storm
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:48:29
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Hurricane Ernesto made landfall on the tiny British Atlantic territory of Bermuda early Saturday as residents hunkered down.
The wide category 1 storm was directly over the the wealthy territory at 6 a.m. Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 kph). The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of strong winds, a dangerous storm surge and significant coastal flooding.
It said some 6 to 9 inches (150-225 centimeters) of rain was expected to fall on Bermuda. “This rainfall will likely result in considerable life-threatening flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas on the island,” it said.
Due to the large size of the storm and its slow movement, hurricane-strength winds are expected to continue until Saturday afternoon, with tropical storm-strength winds continuing well into Sunday, the Bermuda government said. Ernesto is moving toward the north-northeast at around 9 mph (15 kph).
The NHC reported life-threatening surf and rip currents on the east coast of the United States and said they would reach Canada during the course of the day. Ernesto is forecast to be near or east of Newfoundland by Monday night.
Bermuda power utility BELCO said that as of late Friday, power was out to 31% of its customers. It described itself as being in “an active state of crisis.”
“Our crews are no longer out in the field working as it is no longer safe for them. They will now rest until it is deemed safe for them to begin restoration efforts,” BELCO added.
In preparation for the storm, officials in the wealthy British territory had suspended public transportation and closed the airport on Friday night.
“Hurricane Ernesto seriously threatens our community,” National Security Minister Michael Weeks said. “This is not a storm to be taken lightly.”
Bermuda is an archipelago of 181 tiny islands whose total land mass is roughly the size of Manhattan.
According to AccuWeather, it’s uncommon for the eye of a hurricane to make landfall in Bermuda. It noted that, before today, since 1850 only 11 of 130 tropical storms that came within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of Bermuda had landfall.
The island is a renowned offshore financial center with sturdy construction, and given its elevation, storm surge is not as problematic as it is with low-lying islands.
Ernesto previously battered the northeast Caribbean, where it left hundreds of thousands of people without power or water in Puerto Rico after swiping past the U.S. territory as a tropical storm.
More than 180,000 out of nearly 1.5 million clients were still without power more than two days after the storm. Another 170,000 were without water as the National Weather Service issued yet another severe heat advisory, warning of “dangerously hot and humid conditions.”
“It’s not easy,” said Andrés Cabrera, 60, who lives in the north coastal city of Carolina and had no water or power.
Like many on the island, he could not afford a generator or solar panels. Cabrera said he was relying for relief only “on the wind that comes in from the street.”
Officials said they hoped to restore power to 90% of nearly 1.5 million customers in Puerto Rico by Sunday, but have not said when they expect power to be fully restored.
Of 152 locations of critical infrastructure without electricity that are being prioritized, 36 now have power, said Juan Saca, president of Luma Energy, a private company that operates the transmission and distribution of power on the island.
In the neighboring U.S. Virgin Islands, crews also were working to restore power, with 80% of customers back online.
Ernesto is the fifth named storm and the third hurricane of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year because of record warm ocean temperatures. It forecast 17 to 25 named storms, with four to seven major hurricanes.
veryGood! (468)
Related
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Presley Gerber Gets Candid on His Depression, Mental Health and “Mistakes”
- A lost world comes alive in 'Through the Groves,' a memoir of pre-Disney Florida
- 'Dial of Destiny' proves Indiana Jones' days of derring-do aren't quite derring-done
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- How the Little-Known Story of the Battle of Versailles Influenced Fashion Forever
- The Dutch are returning looted artifacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Does it matter?
- Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Kelsea Ballerini Is Putting Her Heart First During Healing Journey After Morgan Evans Divorce
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' singer CoCo Lee dies at 48
- 'Nimona' is a shapeshifting fantasy about embracing your true self
- Grab Some Water, Michael B. Jordan's Steamy Underwear Ad Will Make You Thirsty
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- King Charles III's coronation: What to know for the centuries-old ceremony
- In 'The Vegan,' a refreshing hedge-fund protagonist
- TikTok Was Right About the Merit Cream Blush: It Takes Mere Seconds to Apply and Lasts All Day
Recommendation
House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
15 Books to Read in March
Rapper Costa Titch dies after collapsing on stage in South Africa
The Negro League revolutionized baseball – MLB's new rules are part of its legacy
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
A rare battle at the Supreme Court; plus, Asian Americans and affirmative action
3 women missing in Mexico after crossing from Texas on trip
A 'Barbie' v. 'Oppenheimer' Game