Hurricane Ernesto Strikes Bermuda: Powerful Winds and Heavy Rain Cause Widespread Disruptions

Hurricane Ernesto unleashed its fury on Bermuda early Saturday morning, making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane. With winds clocking in at 85 mph, the storm brought relentless rain, intense storm surges, and powerful gusts that battered the island overnight.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Ernesto, the third named hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, made its way over Bermuda around 2:30 a.m. CDT. The storm’s eye crossed directly over the island, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

As daylight broke, the extent of the damage became evident. More than 75% of Bermuda’s utility customers found themselves without power, according to reports from The Associated Press. Despite the widespread outages, the Port Bermuda webcam remained operational, capturing live footage of the storm's lingering impact with strong winds and rain still sweeping across the island.

Earlier in the week, Ernesto had already made its presence felt in Puerto Rico. The storm, then classified as a tropical storm, caused significant disruptions, leaving hundreds of thousands without power or water as it skirted past the U.S. territory.

By Saturday, Ernesto began its gradual departure from Bermuda, moving north-northeast at a speed of 9 mph. However, the island continued to experience strong winds as the storm drifted away. The National Hurricane Center warned that while the United States would not experience a direct hit from Ernesto, the storm could still pose a danger. Coastal areas along the East Coast and parts of the Bahamas are expected to face hazardous conditions, including deadly rip currents and life-threatening surf over the next few days.

Residents and visitors in affected areas are advised to heed warnings from local authorities and avoid entering the water if conditions are deemed unsafe.

As of 10 a.m. CDT Saturday, Hurricane Ernesto’s center was located approximately 50 miles north-northeast of Bermuda, with sustained winds of 80 mph. Forecasters predict that the storm could gain some additional strength over the weekend before beginning to weaken again on Monday.

Bermuda, already drenched by Ernesto's initial onslaught, could see total rainfall accumulations between 6 to 9 inches, accompanied by significant coastal flooding. The island is expected to endure these challenging conditions throughout the day as the storm gradually moves away.