Tropical Storm Ernesto poised to strike Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands with intense rainfall and winds

Tropical Storm Ernesto is posing a serious threat to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The storm, currently northwest of Guadalupe, is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous storm surges as it approaches the islands. With winds reaching 45 miles per hour, Ernesto could intensify into a hurricane by Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Preparations underway as storm nears

In response to the looming storm, Puerto Rico has taken several precautionary measures. Governor Pedro Pierluisi has activated over 200 National Guard members and expedited food benefits for families. Schools in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have been closed, and government workers, except for essential personnel, were given the day off. Puerto Rico, known for its fragile power grid, is bracing for potential outages, with LUMA Energy, the island’s power operator, mobilizing crews in advance. Residents, recalling the devastation from past storms like Hurricane Fiona in 2022 and Hurricane Maria in 2017, are preparing for extended periods without electricity and water.

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Heavy rainfall and storm surges expected

Ernesto's primary threat is torrential rainfall, which could cause flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas. The storm is expected to bring up to 10 inches of rain in some parts of Puerto Rico and up to 6 inches in the Virgin Islands. Storm surges could raise water levels by up to 3 feet along Puerto Rico's eastern coast and in the Virgin Islands, making the situation even more dangerous. With memories of past storms still fresh, residents and officials are on high alert as they prepare for the storm's impact.