As of August 16, 2024, Hurricane Ernesto, a formidable Category 2 storm, is advancing towards Bermuda, prompting officials to initiate emergency preparations. The hurricane, situated 320 miles south-southwest of the island, boasts maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and is moving north-northeast at 13 mph.
The National Hurricane Center predicts Ernesto will intensify before its anticipated close encounter or direct impact on Bermuda on August 17. Residents and visitors can expect tropical storm conditions, including powerful winds and potentially life-threatening floods, to commence by the afternoon of August 16.
Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory known for its pink sand beaches and subtropical climate, is taking swift action to safeguard its population. Michael Weeks, the National Security Minister, urged residents to complete hurricane preparations by August 15, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The government has announced the suspension of public transportation and the closure of the airport by nightfall on August 16.
Despite its small size of approximately 20.54 square miles, Bermuda has a history of resilience against hurricanes. Since 1850, only 11 out of 130 tropical storms that came within 100 miles of the island have made landfall. The archipelago's elevated terrain and robust infrastructure, including limestone buildings with white roofs, provide some natural protection against storm surges.
Hurricane Ernesto has already left its mark on the Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, the storm's passage as a tropical system resulted in widespread power and water outages. As of August 16, over 245,000 of the 1.4 million customers on the island remain without electricity, highlighting the storm's destructive potential.
"It's not easy. I'm relying for relief only on the wind that comes in from the street."
Ernesto marks the fifth named storm and third hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average season, forecasting 17 to 25 named storms, including 4 to 7 major hurricanes. This heightened activity is attributed to record-warm ocean temperatures.
As Bermuda braces for Ernesto's impact, its unique blend of British and American culture, high per capita income, and reputation as an offshore financial center underscore the economic significance of the island's safety. The coming hours will be crucial as this small but resilient territory, once known as the "Isle of Devils" due to its treacherous surrounding reefs, faces yet another test from the Atlantic's powerful forces.