Hurricane Ernesto hit Bermuda with heavy rains and strong winds on Saturday, leaving large parts of the British Atlantic territory without power. Meteorologists are warning of dangerous storm surge and flooding.
The hurricane that hit Puerto Rico earlier this week reached the country at 5:30 a.m. local time (08:30 GMT) with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles (137 kilometers per hour), according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
“A dangerous storm surge is expected to cause significant coastal flooding along Bermuda in areas with offshore winds. Near shore, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves,” the NHC warned.
Ernesto was expected to dump 150 to 225 millimeters of rain on Bermuda.
“This rainfall is likely to cause significant, life-threatening flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas of the island,” the NHC said.
The storm left more than 26,000 households without power, reported Bermuda energy company Belco. That’s more than 70 percent of customers on the island of 64,000 inhabitants.
According to the Bermuda Weather Service, the island was in the eye of the storm at 11:30 a.m. local time and the hurricane’s southern eyewall was expected to hit it.
Images on social media showed fallen trees blocking roads, power lines damaged by the storm’s strong winds and flooded streets.
Ahead of the storm’s arrival, Bermuda residents prepared for the situation on Friday by pulling boats out of the sea, barricading windows, filling bathtubs with water and stocking up on batteries and food.
“This storm is real,” National Security Minister Michael Weeks said after a meeting of emergency officials on Friday, according to The Royal Gazette newspaper.
“This storm is not to be taken lightly,” he said, warning islanders to expect hurricane-force winds for 36 hours.
“Please take every precaution to protect your lives and property. Stay indoors, stay safe, and I pray we are all spared any real loss or damage,” Weeks added, according to the Gazette.
Some important roads were closed and bus and ferry services were suspended, it said.
Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport said it would remain closed until Sunday following the storm.
Ernesto was moving northeast and was expected to slowly exit Bermuda on Saturday and move near or east of Newfoundland in eastern Canada on Monday evening, the NHC said.
