San Juan, Puerto Rico – Hurricane Ernesto, a formidable Category 1 storm, unleashed heavy rainfall and strong winds across Puerto Rico on Wednesday, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. As the storm moved away from the island, it intensified further, setting its sights on Bermuda, which now braces for a possible major hurricane by the weekend.

As of 11 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Ernesto was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, currently over 300 miles northwest of San Juan, was still causing significant rainfall on the island late into the evening.

Widespread Power Outages Across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

In the aftermath of the storm, nearly half of Puerto Rico’s population was left without power. LUMA Energy, the company responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity on the island, reported that about 540,000 customers remained in the dark as of Wednesday night. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the situation was similarly dire, with approximately 28,000 customers—around 55% of the territory’s total—experiencing power outages, according to data from PowerOutage.us.

Ernesto’s powerful winds, which extended far from its center, reached hurricane strength in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with gusts exceeding 74 mph. The intense winds not only downed power lines but also contributed to the flooding caused by the torrential rains that accompanied the storm.

Bermuda on High Alert

As Hurricane Ernesto continues to strengthen, the NHC has issued a warning that the storm could escalate to a major hurricane by Friday, potentially reaching Category 3 status with winds of 111 mph or higher. Currently, Ernesto is on a trajectory that would bring its core, and possibly its most destructive winds, perilously close to Bermuda by Saturday morning or early afternoon.

The Bermuda Weather Service has already issued a hurricane watch, signaling the potential for tropical storm-force winds to begin affecting the island by Friday afternoon. Residents and authorities in Bermuda are preparing for what could be a severe impact, with the possibility of the storm delivering a direct hit.

Forecast and Preparations

Forecasters anticipate that Ernesto will make a turn to the north and northeast over the next few days, steering the storm closer to Bermuda. The island, known for its resilience in the face of hurricanes, is now mobilizing resources and advising residents to secure their homes and prepare for the potential arrival of a major storm.

As Ernesto gains strength in the Atlantic, the NHC continues to monitor its progress closely, providing updates and warnings to those in the storm’s path. With memories of past hurricanes still fresh in the minds of many in the Caribbean and Bermuda, the coming days will be critical as communities brace for the potential impact of Ernesto.

For now, the people of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are left to deal with the aftermath of the storm’s passage, while those in Bermuda watch and wait, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.