Ernesto Becomes Hurricane, Leaves Half of Puerto Rico Without Power

Ernesto intensified into a hurricane on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain to Puerto Rico and causing widespread power outages. Nearly half of the US territory's customers were left without electricity as the storm moved towards Bermuda. Ernesto was located about 225 miles (365 km) northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 kph) and moving northwest at 16 mph (26 kph).

Impact on Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

The National Hurricane Centre indicated that Ernesto could become a major hurricane within 48 hours. Tropical storm warnings were lifted for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the US and British Virgin Islands. "I know it was a long night listening to that wind howl," said US Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. during a news conference.

An island-wide blackout affected St John and St Croix, with at least six cell phone towers knocked offline across the US territory, according to Daryl Jaschen, emergency management director. Airports in St Croix and St Thomas were expected to reopen by midday. Schools and government agencies remained closed in both the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico due to severe flooding.

Flooding and Power Outages

Heavy flooding in several areas forced officials to block roads strewn with fallen trees. More than 140 flights to and from Puerto Rico were cancelled. "A lot of rain, a lot of rain," said Culebra Mayor Edilberto Romero in a phone interview. "We have trees that have fallen on public roads. There are some roofs that are blown off."

The hurricane centre warned of ongoing flash flood risks in parts of Puerto Rico due to continuous heavy rains. Officials opened one of Puerto Rico's largest dams and evacuated residents from Toa Baja as torrents of brown water surged towards it.

Forecast for Bermuda

Ernesto is expected to move through open waters for the rest of the week, approaching Bermuda closely on Friday and Saturday. It is forecasted to become a Category 3 storm before weakening slightly to a Category 2 near Bermuda. "Residents need to prepare now before conditions worsen," advised Bermuda's National Security Minister Michael Weeks.

Forecasters also cautioned about heavy swells along the US East Coast. "That means that anybody who goes to the beach, even if the weather is beautiful and nice, it could be dangerous...with those rip currents," said Robbie Berg, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Hurricane Centre.

Rainfall Expectations

Between 4 to 6 inches of rain is anticipated in the US and British Virgin Islands, while Puerto Rico could see between 6 to 8 inches, with isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches. Late Tuesday, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency had warned residents in both US territories to prepare for "extended power outages."

More than 700,000 customers were without power in Puerto Rico, including 23 hospitals operating on generators, Gov. Pedro Pierluisi reported on Wednesday. Crews are assessing damage but it's too early to determine when electricity will be restored.

"We are trying to get the system up and running as soon as we can," stated Juan Saca, president of Luma Energy, which operates power transmission and distribution in Puerto Rico.

Restoration Efforts

Luma Energy prioritised restoring power to hospitals, the island's water and sewer company, and other essential services. Around 235,000 customers lacked water due to power outages, Pierluisi noted.

Puerto Rico's power grid was devastated by Hurricane Maria in September 2017 as a Category 4 storm and remains fragile as crews continue rebuilding efforts. "It's just frustrating that this many years later, we continue to see something like a storm cause such widespread outages in Puerto Rico," said Charlotte Gossett Navarro from the Hispanic Federation.

Not everyone can afford generators on the island with over a 40% poverty rate among its 3.2 million residents. "People already prepared themselves with candles," said Lucía Rodríguez, a street vendor.

Rooftop solar systems are scarce but increasing in Puerto Rico where fossil fuels generate 94% of electricity. At the time Maria hit, there were 8,000 rooftop installations compared to over 117,000 now, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.

Pierluisi announced late Tuesday that US President Joe Biden had approved his request for emergency FEMA funds if needed due to the tropical storm.

Ernesto is the fifth named storm and third hurricane of this year's Atlantic hurricane season. Since 1966, only four other years have had three or more hurricanes by mid-August in the Atlantic, according to Philip Klotzbach from Colorado State University.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year due to record warm ocean temperatures. They forecasted 17 to 25 named storms with four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

As Ernesto continues its path towards Bermuda, residents are urged to stay vigilant and prepare for potential impacts from this powerful storm system.