Bermuda is on high alert as residents brace for Hurricane Ernesto to make landfall on Friday. Authorities say heavy rains and flooding are expected over the weekend, AFP reports.
The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm was heading into the North Atlantic Ocean, towards the small British territory, with maximum winds of 100 mph. The agency said in its latest report on the incident: “Storm Ernesto is expected to become a major hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday and maintain its strength through the weekend.”
The storm, currently rated a Category 2 on the 5-step Saffir-Simpson scale, will strengthen overnight.
In parts of Bermuda, Storm Ernesto will drop up to 380 mm of rain. The National Hurricane Center warned of a strong storm surge and the risk of flash flooding.
The Bermuda government warned on X that the hurricane would hit the islands at 11 a.m. Saturday and asked residents to take precautions.
On Friday, some residents had already removed their boats from the sea, closed their windows, filled their bathtubs with water, and stored their supplies.
In turn, the authorities have already closed important roads before the hurricane arrived and suspended public transportation.
Earlier this week, Storm Ernesto passed close to Puerto Rico, leaving more than 600,000 people without power and flooding roads.
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