Hurricane Ernesto charges toward Bermuda with tropical storm conditions already battering the island

(16 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hamilton, Bermuda - 16 August 2024
1. Palm trees swaying in the wind
2. Pan from ocean to beach
3. Surf splashing on the road
4. Trees and vegetation swaying to ocean with waves
5. Empty streets and boarded-up shops
6. Petrol station
7. People queuing to buy supplies
8. Half empty shelves
9. Sea with waves
STORYLINE:
Hurricane Ernesto charged toward Bermuda on Friday as officials in the tiny British territory in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean opened shelters and closed government offices.

The Category 2 storm located 125 miles (205 kilometers) south-southwest of Bermuda was packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph). It was moving north-northeast at 13 mph (20 kph).

Ernesto’s large eye will likely be very near or over Bermuda on Saturday morning. Tropical storm conditions — including strong winds and life-threatening floods — began on Friday and are expected to continue through Saturday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm was forecast to dump between 6 and 9 inches of rain. Forecasters noted that Ernesto was a large hurricane, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 75 miles (120 kilometers) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 275 miles (445 kilometers).

In preparation for the storm, officials in the wealthy British territory announced they would suspend public transportation and close the airport by Friday night.

National Security Minister Michael Weeks warned of dangerous weather conditions starting late Friday.

On Friday afternoon, Bermuda’s Electric Light Company reported more than 3,000 customers were without power.

Dangerous surf and rip currents are also possible on the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and Atlantic Canada during the next few days, according to the center.

AP Video shot by Kristen Douglas

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