Hurricane Ernesto Hits Bermuda with Fierce Winds and Flooding

Hurricane Ernesto struck Bermuda early Saturday with strong winds and heavy rainfall. The storm, now a Category 1, caused power outages and posed significant flooding risks. It is projected to move towards Newfoundland by Monday. Emergency responders are on high alert, and nearby areas are experiencing hazardous ocean conditions.

Hurricane Ernesto made landfall on Bermuda early Saturday and unleashed powerful winds, dangerous storm surges, and potentially deadly flooding on the British island territory. With top sustained winds of 85 mph, Ernesto had weakened to a Category 1 storm as it approached, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

As of 5 a.m. (0900 GMT), the storm was centered over Bermuda, home to around 64,000 residents, situated more than 600 miles off the South Carolina coast. Ernesto is predicted to gradually leave Bermuda during Saturday, moving north-northeast and possibly nearing Newfoundland by Monday night, the hurricane center reported.

The storm's dangerous surge was expected to cause significant coastal flooding, accompanied by rainfall forecasts of up to 9 inches. On Friday, Ernesto was a Category 2 storm. Some re-intensification is possible over the weekend before weakening starts on Monday. Michael Weeks, Bermuda's national security minister, warned residents to take the storm seriously. By Friday afternoon, Ernesto had caused power outages for 5,400 of Bermuda's 36,000 utility customers. BELCO, the power utility, called repair crews back from the field due to dangerous conditions.

Ernesto's ocean swells were impacting parts of Bermuda, the Bahamas, and the U.S. East Coast. New York City closed all beaches in Brooklyn and Queens for the weekend, anticipating dangerous rip currents and swells up to 6 feet.