Hurricane Ernesto causes devastation in Puerto Rico and alerts Bermuda due to its strength.

Hurricane Ernesto has left a significant mark on Puerto Rico, where heavy rains and winds have wreaked havoc on the electrical infrastructure and the well-being of its residents. Since early Wednesday morning, the island has been under an intense storm that has caused nearly half of the electrical services to go out, affecting more than 640,000 customers. This weather phenomenon, which is now out at sea, is moving toward the northeast Caribbean with the possibility of reaching Category 3 or higher, raising alarms in Bermuda. The sustained winds of 130 km/h accompanying Ernesto have generated fear among residents in the most vulnerable areas. At the same time, the hurricane warning issued for Bermuda highlights the seriousness of the situation. Although tropical storm alerts have been lifted in Puerto Rico and its outer islands, the threat of flash flooding remains. The situation has led to the cancellation of more than 140 flights and the closure of schools and public agencies in the region. Edilberto Romero, the mayor of Culebra, described the situation as alarming, with fallen trees and roofs being blown away due to the force of the wind. Concern extends across the island, where citizens are forced to move their vehicles to higher ground to avoid flood damage. Authorities have urged the population to remain calm and be prepared for the worst conditions that may lie ahead. Bermuda's Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, emphasized the need for residents to prepare for the imminent arrival of the hurricane. "This is not the time to be complacent," he stated, highlighting that weather conditions could deteriorate in the coming hours. This call to action is particularly relevant in a context where the east coast of the United States has also been alerted to strong swells that could pose a danger to beachgoers. Meanwhile, communities in Puerto Rico face a complicated situation. With more than 23 hospitals operating on generators due to the lack of electricity, Governor Pedro Pierluisi has indicated that restoring service will be a long and complicated process. Luma Energy, the company responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity on the island, has stated that its efforts are focused on restoring power to essential services such as hospitals and the drinking water supply. Puerto Rico's recent history with natural disasters, especially Hurricane Maria in 2017, has left a fragile and vulnerable electrical grid. Frustration among residents is palpable, as many wonder how it is possible that, years after the devastation of Maria, a hurricane of lesser intensity continues to cause massive outages. Charlotte Gossett Navarro, director of the Hispanic Federation in Puerto Rico, highlighted the vulnerability of many homes, where families cannot afford to purchase generators. As the rain continues to fall, some have opted to prepare in the best way possible, resorting to candles to cope with the lack of electricity. At the same time, although the use of solar energy continues to rise, reliance on fossil fuels for 94% of the island's electricity remains a major concern. Ernesto becomes the fifth named storm of the season and the third hurricane in the Atlantic, marking a year of high cyclonic activity. NOAA experts have predicted that this year could exceed expectations, with a projection of between 17 and 25 storms and four to seven hurricanes of Category 3 or higher. The effects of climate change, which have led to higher ocean temperatures, have intensified cyclonic activity. Over the years, Caribbean communities are increasingly exposed to extreme weather events, making it urgent to prepare and strengthen the necessary infrastructures to mitigate the impact of future disasters.