BTN News: As Hurricane Ernesto looms over the Caribbean, Puerto Rico braces for what could potentially be one of the most powerful storms to hit the Atlantic this season. The impact of Ernesto is already being felt across the island, with significant disruptions to daily life. Authorities have issued urgent warnings as the storm’s intensity escalates, threatening to bring severe weather conditions including fierce winds, widespread flooding, and landslides. The island’s already vulnerable infrastructure, still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane MarÃa in 2017, faces another daunting test. As a precaution, multiple flights have been canceled, maritime ports shut down, and schools along with government offices closed, as Puerto Rico prepares for the worst.
The arrival of Hurricane Ernesto has led to the cancellation of 18 flights to and from Puerto Rico, with regional destinations across the Eastern Caribbean and the island municipalities being particularly affected. Jorge Hernández, President of Aerostar, the operator of the Luis Muñoz MarÃn International Airport, indicated that more cancellations are anticipated. Airlines are urging passengers to stay informed about their flight status and to reschedule trips as necessary, either online or at the airport, depending on the airline’s policies. The situation is fluid, with additional cancellations likely as the storm progresses.
In response to the impending hurricane, Puerto Rican authorities have taken decisive action by closing all maritime ports on Tuesday. This precautionary measure underscores the severity of the storm, as officials work to minimize risks to both the public and maritime operations. The closure of ports, along with the shutdown of public schools, universities, and various government offices, signals the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and infrastructure.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in the United States has issued a hurricane warning for the Virgin Islands and the Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra. These areas are expected to experience the brunt of Ernesto’s power, with meteorologists forecasting intense winds and heavy rainfall. The NHC has also maintained tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, and Saint Martin, among others. Ernesto’s current path indicates maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (60 miles per hour), with the storm moving west-northwest at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour (18 miles per hour). Based on the projected trajectory, the center of Ernesto is expected to pass near or over the Virgin Islands shortly, before moving just to the northeast and north of Puerto Rico later tonight and into Wednesday.
Puerto Rico’s fragile power grid, still in the process of rebuilding after the catastrophic impact of Hurricane MarÃa in September 2017, faces the risk of widespread outages. The potential for severe damage to the island’s electrical infrastructure has prompted authorities to issue warnings about possible blackouts as the storm intensifies. Ernesto’s impending landfall serves as a stark reminder of Puerto Rico’s ongoing vulnerability in the face of natural disasters.
As Puerto Rico braces for the impact of Hurricane Ernesto, the situation remains tense. The combination of anticipated flight disruptions, port closures, and the threat to the power grid underscores the serious nature of the storm. Residents and officials alike are on high alert, preparing for what could be another significant challenge for the island’s resilience. The coming hours will be critical as Puerto Rico faces the full force of Ernesto, with the hope that the measures taken will mitigate the storm’s potentially devastating effects.
