Hurricane Ernesto Strikes Bermuda After Devastating Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Threatens Atlantic Canada

Hurricane Ernesto wreaked havoc on Puerto Rico and the United States and British Virgin Islands earlier this week, causing significant damage and widespread power outages. It then made landfall on Bermuda early Saturday morning, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and further destruction to the island chain.

AccuWeather meteorologists warn that Ernesto will continue its path towards Atlantic Canada early next week before moving on to the United Kingdom later in the week, potentially bringing dangerous weather conditions to both regions.

Ernesto strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane on Thursday night with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. By the time it struck Bermuda early Saturday morning, it had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 85 mph. As of Saturday morning, Ernesto was moving away from Bermuda, but the island was still grappling with gusty winds, squally showers, and rough seas. The hurricane also left behind a risk of tornadoes and waterspouts in its wake.

Power outages were widespread in Bermuda, with more than 26,000 utility customers left without electricity as of midday Saturday. The island, home to approximately 65,000 people, faced wind gusts reaching up to 109 mph in some areas, particularly at the Bermuda Naval Air Station. Despite the destructive winds and rough seas, meteorologists predict Ernesto’s strength will continue to decrease as it moves into cooler waters.

As the hurricane slowed its forward speed over Bermuda, meteorologists warned that the prolonged storm conditions could increase the risk of damage. With Ernesto’s slow movement over the island, hurricane-force winds and rain were expected to last for several hours, contributing to more power outages and potential flooding.

The storm’s impacts are rated a 2 on the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes in Bermuda, considering factors such as rain, wind, storm surge, and economic losses.

Heavy rainfall from Ernesto was expected to cause urban flooding and road damage due to washed-out rocks and debris. Rainwater is typically welcomed in Bermuda due to its utility for drinking and other purposes, but the forecasted 4-8 inches of rain, with a potential maximum of 13 inches, posed a threat of severe flooding.

The long plume of moisture accompanying the hurricane could bring record rainfall to the islands, surpassing the record set in August 2014.

Bermuda’s northern coast was also expected to experience storm surges of 1-3 feet. While the island has historically withstood many hurricanes, the potential for significant damage to non-stone structures and widespread power outages remained a concern. The storm’s impacts on the island’s infrastructure were expected to be compounded by the dangerous wind gusts continuing into Saturday night.

After passing Bermuda, Ernesto is expected to target Atlantic Canada next. Even though Canada often experiences powerful winter storms, Ernesto could bring significant issues early next week, with winds gusting between 60-80 mph and up to 100 mph in Newfoundland. Meteorologists predict rainfall amounts ranging from 2-4 inches, with a potential maximum of 8 inches, which could lead to flash flooding, mudslides, and road washouts.

Ernesto’s long-term path suggests it could affect the British Isles later in the week, with the potential for flooding, travel disruptions, and power outages. Meteorologists warn of a supercharged hurricane season in 2024, driven by warmer-than-usual ocean temperatures, which may lead to more frequent and intense tropical storms. As Ernesto continues to travel across the Atlantic, its impacts are expected to be far-reaching, affecting multiple regions before it dissipates.