Hurricane Ernesto Targets Bermuda After Disrupting Puerto Rico’s Power and Water Supplies

Hurricane Ernesto is currently barreling towards Bermuda after causing widespread disruption in Puerto Rico, where it left nearly half a million people without power and cut off water supplies to hundreds of thousands. The storm, which escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 1 hurricane, hit Puerto Rico earlier this week, bringing heavy rains and strong winds that further strained the island’s already fragile infrastructure.

As of Thursday morning, Ernesto was positioned about 675 miles south-southwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The storm is expected to intensify into a Category 3 hurricane by Friday, raising alarms in Bermuda, where residents are urged to prepare for potentially severe conditions, including life-threatening winds and significant rainfall.

In Puerto Rico, the aftermath of Ernesto has led to sweltering conditions, with many residents struggling without electricity or water. The situation is particularly dire for vulnerable populations, as extreme heat exacerbates health risks. Emergency services are working to restore power, but no definitive timeline has been provided for when services will return to normal​.