Hurricane Ernesto, a Category 1 storm, made its way across Bermuda early on Saturday, August 17th, 2024, bringing significant disruptions to the island nation. One of the most immediate impacts was the cancellation of 10 flights at L.F. Wade International Airport as the storm’s strong winds and heavy rains made travel unsafe.
The hurricane, boasting sustained winds of up to 80 mph, moved north-northeast at a speed of approximately 9 mph. The National Hurricane Center issued warnings about the dangerous conditions, including powerful winds, a significant storm surge, and the potential for coastal flooding. As Ernesto slowly moved past Bermuda, hurricane-force winds were expected to continue until Saturday afternoon, with tropical storm conditions anticipated to persist into Sunday. The Bermuda Weather Service confirmed that a Hurricane warning remained in effect.
Beyond flight cancellations, Bermuda’s power provider, BELCO, reported over 26,000 customers without electricity as of Saturday afternoon. Island residents were urged to stay indoors and take necessary precautions as the storm passed.
Bermuda, a British territory comprised of 181 small islands, rarely experiences direct landfall from hurricanes. According to AccuWeather, only 11 out of 130 tropical storms that have come within 100 miles of Bermuda since 1850 have actually made landfall.
Before reaching Bermuda, Ernesto caused significant damage in the northeastern Caribbean, leaving tens of thousands in Puerto Rico without water and power. The National Weather Service issued a severe heat advisory for the region, warning of “dangerously hot and humid conditions.” Officials in Puerto Rico are working diligently to restore power to the remaining 115,000 customers still affected by the storm, with hopes of reaching 90% of the population by Sunday. Cleanup efforts are underway, and schools in both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are scheduled to reopen on Monday.
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 season, with expectations of 17 to 25 named storms and four to seven major hurricanes due to record-high ocean temperatures.
