Hurricane Ernesto moves across the Atlantic, causing more damage

Hurricane Ernesto battered Bermuda with heavy rain and damaging winds early Saturday, cutting power to much of the British Atlantic territory as it barreled ashore, with forecasters warning of dangerous storm surges and flooding.

The hurricane, which hit Puerto Rico earlier this week, was over the archipelago after making landfall at 5:30 a.m. (Brasilia time) with maximum sustained winds of 137 km/h, according to the Miami-based National Hurricane Center.

“Severe storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding across Bermuda in onshore areas. The National Hurricane Center warns that the hurricane will be accompanied near the coast by large and destructive waves.

Ernesto is expected to bring up to 250 mm of rain to Bermuda. The National Hurricane Center stressed that “this rainfall is likely to lead to significant, life-threatening flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas of the island.”

Bermuda-based power company Belco said the storm left nearly 26,000 customers without power, or more than 70% of its customers on the island of 64,000.

Bermudians prepared for the storm’s arrival on Friday by pulling boats out of the ocean and water, closing windows, filling bathtubs with water and stocking up on batteries and food supplies.

“This storm is real,” National Security Minister Michael Weeks said after a meeting of emergency officials on Friday, according to the Royal Gazette. “This is not a storm to be taken lightly,” he added, warning islanders to expect hurricane-force winds for 36 hours.

“Please take all necessary precautions to protect your life and property. Stay home, stay safe, and I pray that we all avoid any real loss or harm.”

He added that some major roads were closed and bus and ferry services were suspended. Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport said it would remain closed until Sunday after the storm passes.

Ernesto was moving northeastward and was expected to move slowly away from Bermuda over the weekend and begin its path near or east of Newfoundland, in eastern Canada, Monday evening, according to the NHC.

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