Tropical storm warnings were not in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, but the National Hurricane Center warned that heavy rain could cause flash flooding and mudslides. Its latest update.
On Wednesday, Ernesto officially became the third hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
The hurricane’s center is forecast to move away from Puerto Rico on Wednesday and into the western Atlantic later in the week, with its projected track expected to move toward Bermuda later in the week.
There is President Biden Approved federal aid Requested by the Governor of Puerto Rico. Half of the island, more than that 728,000 customers are currently without powerAccording to electricity service provider Luma Energy.
Meanwhile, cruise lines such as Carnival, Celebrity and Norwegian are scheduled to sail to the northern Caribbean. They are said to have changed their itineraries Ernesto should be avoided.
The storm may strengthen into a major hurricane in a couple of days, the hurricane center said.
Where is the storm, exactly?
As of 2 p.m. ET, Ernesto’s center was located 225 miles northwest of San Juan.
Maximum sustained winds are 75 mph, and the storm is moving west-northwest at 16 mph.
Are there any watches and alerts?
A tropical storm warning is no longer in effect for Puerto Rico, the United States and the British Virgin Islands. Coastal watches or warnings are not in effect, According to the hurricane center.
What are the biggest risks associated with Ernesto?
Heavy rains, flash floods and landslides are major concerns.
Parts of the United States and British Virgin Islands could see 4 to 6 inches of rain accumulation. Southeastern Puerto Rico could get 6 to 8 inches of rain, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, and northwestern Puerto Rico could get 2 to 4 inches.
Rain from the hurricane will begin to affect Bermuda on Thursday.
Swells from Ernesto, which can cause life-threatening surf and rip currents, affect parts of the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos. These swells will affect the US East Coast and Bermuda later this week and into the weekend.
This is an ongoing story; Update for latest updates.
