2024-08-14 15:50:31
Tropical Cyclone Ernesto has become a hurricane near Puerto Rico and is causing widespread power outages. The center of the storm passed over the east coast of the U.S. Caribbean territory in the early morning local time. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), “Ernesto” has increased in intensity, with sustained wind speeds of up to 120 km/h. According to supplier Luma Energy, more than 600,000 connections, or 40% of all customers, were without power.
Local media reported heavy rain, flooding and downed trees. The city of Toa Baja, near the capital San Juan, has ordered the evacuation of affected areas due to the risk of flooding, according to El Nuevo Día newspaper.
The Virgin Islands also felt the effects of the storm. According to the National Hurricane Center, Ernesto is expected to move northward away from the Greater Antilles starting on Friday, approaching Bermuda in the North Atlantic. It is expected to continue to strengthen in the coming days.
Climate change increases the likelihood of severe storms. Due to particularly warm waters and the forecast for “La Niña” (a phase of cooler ocean waters in the Pacific Ocean), the US weather agency NOAA is warning of an especially strong hurricane season in the Atlantic this year – starting in June and lasting for half the year. In early July, Beryl, the earliest hurricane on record, became the strongest Category 5 hurricane.
Puerto Rico’s power grid is very unstable. Infrastructure remains affected by devastating Hurricane Maria, which killed nearly 3,000 people in 2017.
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