Hurricane Ernesto is set to bring life-threatening flooding, storm surges and winds of up to 100 mph to Bermuda, forecasters said, with dangerous conditions beginning Friday before the storm hits the island in the next 24 hours.
The Category 2 storm is 255 miles southwest of the North Atlantic island and moving at 13 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in an 8 a.m. update. A hurricane warning has been issued for the entire island and up to 15 inches of rain is expected.
Hurricane-force winds of at least 74 mph are expected Extend 70 miles from the storm’s center, while tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph can be felt 265 miles away.
“Arrangements to protect lives and property should be completed expeditiously,” the NHC said.
The center of the storm is expected to cross Bermuda on Saturday or strengthen near it. Ernesto will remain a major hurricane and maintain its strength through the weekend.
“A dangerous storm surge is expected to produce significant coastal flooding in areas of coastal wind in Bermuda. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves,” the NHC said.
Swells from Ernesto will affect the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas and could be felt along the U.S. East Coast Friday and into the weekend, causing life-threatening surf and currents, the hurricane center said.
“Beachgoers should be aware of the significant risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents and stay out of the water as advised by lifeguards,” the center said. Advice.
The warning was echoed by National Weather Service offices in the eastern United States, including Mount Holly, Pennsylvania.
Ernesto has already wreaked havoc in Puerto Rico, where although the storm did not make landfall, half of the island’s 1.4 million power customers were left in the dark Wednesday.
Ernesto is on an easterly track moving north of Newfoundland on Monday.
