SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Reuters) – Tropical Storm Ernesto on Tuesday threatened to bring heavy rainfall, dangerous storm surges and strong winds to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, leading the U.S. territory to prepare for power outages. #TropicalStormErnesto
The storm, last observed northwest of Guadalupe, has maximum winds of 45 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center noted it could strengthen into a hurricane by Thursday. After passing over Puerto Rico, the storm may veer north into the Atlantic.
Ernesto – the fifth named storm of the season – is expected to miss Florida and the U.S. Southeast, which are still reeling from Tropical Storm Debby.
Last week, slow-moving Debby hit Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 1 hurricane, before soaking some parts of the Carolinas with up to two feet of rain.
Like Debby, Ernesto’s greatest threat is torrential rain, which could spur flash floods and landslides, especially in the mountainous interior of Puerto Rico and nearby Caribbean islands.
Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said on X that the government had activated emergency protocols and expedited food benefits for families ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Puerto Rico, with its fragile power grid, has a history of highly destructive storms. In 2022, Hurricane Fiona knocked out power for about 80% of the island’s customers. Five years earlier, Hurricane Maria plunged the territory into darkness. #TropicalStormErnesto
Moreover, Tropical Storm Ernesto poses a serious risk of power outages across the island. Utility companies are on high alert, and crews are ready to address any outages swiftly. Therefore, residents should have emergency plans in place and be prepared for potential disruptions.
read more
