Puerto Rico’s TOA BAJA — storm Ernesto threatened to strengthen into a major storm while it made its way to Bermuda on Wednesday, dumping copious amounts of rain on Puerto Rico and knocking out power for about half of all customers in the U.S. island.
The storm, which had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph) and was traveling northwest at 16 mph (26 kph) on Wednesday, was over open sea about 690 miles (1,110 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda.
While tropical storm warnings were canceled for Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as the island chain’s outlying islands of Vieques and Culebra, a hurricane watch was issued for Bermuda.
Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands Albert Bryan Jr. remarked at a press conference, “I know it was a long night listening to that wind howl.”
At least six mobile towers were down across U.S. territory, and an islandwide blackout was reported on St. Croix, according to emergency management director Daryl Jaschen.
In the United States, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, and other regions where there was major flooding and officials had to close roadways that were partially covered in trees, schools and government offices were closed. There were more than 140 canceled flights to and from Puerto Rico.
In a phone interview, Culebra Mayor Edilberto Romero remarked, “A lot of rain, a lot of rain.” There are trees on our public roads that have fallen.
Because of the ongoing rain, flash flood warnings were still in effect.
Dozens of inhabitants of the flood-prone north coastal hamlet of Toa Baja moved their cars to higher ground.
Víctor Báez, sipping beer with pals and watching the rain fall, remarked, “Everyone is worried.” He did not revel in his authority for long. He said, “It’s going to go out again.”
Ernesto was a Category 1 hurricane that was expected to intensify over the next few days, potentially strengthening into a significant Category 3 storm by Friday. On Saturday, the hurricane’s center was predicted to pass close to Bermuda.
Michael Weeks, Bermuda’s Minister of National Security, stated, “People need to get ready now before things get worse.” “This is not the moment to get comfortable.”
Additionally, strong swells were predicted for the US East Coast by forecasters.
“It implies that beachgoers may face dangers even in the presence of lovely weather due to rip currents,” stated Robbie Berg, a National Hurricane Center warning coordination meteorologist.
Rainfall amounts of four to six inches were predicted for the US and the British Virgin Islands, six to eight inches for Puerto Rico, and up to ten inches in certain places.
In Puerto Rico, more than 640,000 people lost their electricity, and 23 hospitals were running on
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