Hurricane Ernesto Hits Puerto Rico Hard

Hurricane Ernesto has intensified and is currently hammering Puerto Rico with heavy rainfall, causing widespread power outages across the region.

The storm was reported about 225 miles northwest of San Juan and was moving over open waters with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. It’s moving northwest and is expected to strengthen even more in the coming days.

As Ernesto churns towards Bermuda, nearly half of Puerto Rico’s residents have been left without power due to the storm’s fierce winds and rain. According to officials, the weather has been disruptive, forcing airports to close and prompting the cancellation of over 140 flights.

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, officials are dealing with fallen trees and damage to infrastructure after enduring a long night of high winds. Emergency management teams have been working hard to assess damages while some residents have been evacuated due to rising waters from local dams.

Puerto Rico, still recovering from Hurricane Maria back in 2017, is facing new challenges with this storm. Governor Pedro Pierluisi noted that over 700,000 customers are currently without power, with many hospitals relying on backup generators.

Officials are urging residents to prepare for ongoing power outages and severe weather conditions. As the storm moves forward, the forecast predicts more heavy rains, with certain areas expecting between 6 to 10 inches.