Ernesto gains strength, heads towards Bermuda

Hurricane Ernesto strengthened into a hurricane after passing Puerto Rico, heading towards Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph. The Bermuda Weather Service issued a hurricane watch, warning of a potential major hurricane impact on Saturday. Puerto Rico experienced power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of people, with over 730,000 customers left without electricity. President Joe Biden authorized disaster relief efforts in advance of the storm, and the storm may also create dangerous rip currents along the U.S. Atlantic coast. Ernesto is the fifth named storm and third hurricane of a busy hurricane season, with concerns that it could impact eastern provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. The storm has not caused any reported deaths in Puerto Rico, but dramatic rescues have been made as people have been affected by high winds and heavy rain. Bermuda Minister of National Security warned residents to take the storm seriously and prepare for its impact, emphasizing the need to not be complacent as it has the potential to cause significant damage. The National Hurricane Center reported that Ernesto is gradually strengthening as it moves on its path towards Bermuda.

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