On Friday, residents, visitors, and officials in Bermuda prepared for Hurricane Ernesto, which is expected to intensify further before delivering a severe onslaught of dangerous weather to the British territory, just days after causing widespread power failures in Puerto Rico.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Ernesto, now a Category 2 hurricane, was situated 320 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and moving at a speed of 13 mph. The storm boasts sustained winds of 100 mph, with a likelihood of becoming a Category 3 as it nears the archipelago.

Rain and strong winds from the storm’s outer bands are predicted to start impacting Bermuda on Friday, with the main storm possibly arriving on Saturday with winds exceeding 110 mph. Due to the hurricane’s extensive size, rainfall over the weekend may reach 6 to 12 inches in some areas, with localized spots possibly seeing up to 15 inches.

The hurricane center warned, “This rainfall will likely lead to dangerous flash flooding,” and noted that storm surges are expected to cause significant coastal flooding as powerful waves crash onto the shore.

In Puerto Rico, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses are still without power amid a hazardous heat wave. As reported by LUMA Energy, approximately 239,924 utility customers were without electricity as of Friday morning.

Record-Breaking Heat in Puerto Rico Amid Power Outages

The ongoing heat wave is exacerbating the situation for the hundreds of thousands still without electricity in Puerto Rico, rendering conditions uncomfortable and potentially dangerous.

Following the storm’s passage over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, scorching temperatures surged, with afternoon highs reaching the mid-90s, while humidity made it feel even hotter. Extreme heat leads to more fatalities than any other weather-related threat in the U.S.

On Thursday, temperatures hit 95 degrees at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, breaking the previous daily record of 94 degrees from 1991.

Authorities advised everyone to seek air conditioning, avoid direct sunlight, and never leave children or pets in hot vehicles, as temperatures can rise dangerously high in just minutes. The San Juan weather service cautioned, “A period of dangerously hot and humid conditions is anticipated,” stating that individuals lacking proper cooling and hydration could be severely affected.

Current Location of Hurricane Ernesto

Fragile Power Grid in Puerto Rico

In 2022, Hurricane Fiona led to power outages affecting around 80% of the island’s homes and businesses for up to a month. Years earlier, Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the power grid, resulting in extended outages in certain areas lasting nearly a year.

Vanessa Toro, who lives in San Juan and lost power early Wednesday, expressed frustration at being left in the dark for hours despite the storm’s minimal impact on her location.

“If the event had been of a large magnitude, it would be more understandable, but this storm was not catastrophic,” she stated. “LUMA claims to be prepared for such situations, yet 29 hours have passed since the storm and we are still without electricity.”