Hurricane Ernesto hits Bermuda and causes destruction with winds of 85 mph.

Hurricane Ernesto, which made landfall in Bermuda early Saturday morning, has put residents of the small Atlantic territory on alert. With sustained maximum winds of 85 miles per hour, Ernesto is a Category 1 hurricane that has begun to wreak havoc on the island, where inhabitants sought shelter as the storm approached. At 6:00 am, the natural phenomenon was positioned directly over the territory, triggering a series of warnings from the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The warnings included the possibility of strong winds, dangerous storm surges, and significant flooding, especially along the coast. The NHC estimates that accumulated rainfall could range from 6 to 9 inches, potentially triggering life-threatening flash floods, particularly in the island's most vulnerable areas. Local authorities have reiterated the importance of taking the warnings seriously, emphasizing that Hurricane Ernesto poses a serious threat to the community. The Bermuda government has reported that the size of the hurricane, along with its slow movement, will prolong exposure to hurricane-force winds until Saturday afternoon and tropical storm winds until Sunday. The NHC has also warned of the possibility of high surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, projecting that Hurricane Ernesto will move toward Canada in the coming days. As the storm intensified, Bermuda's electric company, BELCO, reported that more than a quarter of its customers were without power. The company stated that it was in an "active crisis state" and that recovery efforts on the ground had been halted due to dangerous conditions. The severity of the situation has led authorities to suspend public transportation and close the airport, preparing the community for the worst. National Security Minister Michael Weeks highlighted the seriousness of the threat posed by the hurricane. "This is not a storm to be taken lightly," he emphasized, as the population prepared to face the harsh weather conditions. Such phenomena are uncommon in Bermuda; since 1850, only a handful of storms have made landfall in the archipelago. Bermuda, an archipelago made up of 181 small islands, has been fortunate to avoid more devastating hurricanes in the past, but the arrival of Ernesto has reminded residents of their territory's vulnerability. The island is known for its solid infrastructure and natural elevations that, in theory, mitigate the effects of storm surges, although the current situation is a cause for concern. Hurricane Ernesto has not only affected Bermuda but had already left its mark on the northeastern Caribbean. In Puerto Rico, where the storm passed previously as a tropical storm, hundreds of thousands of residents were left without electricity and water. More than 180,000 of the island's 1.5 million customers were still without power, prompting a state of emergency in the region. Conditions in Puerto Rico have been complicated by a new severe heat advisory, adding a sense of urgency to recovery efforts. Local authorities have anticipated that 90% of customers could have their electricity restored by Sunday, though an exact date for full service recovery has not yet been provided. Meanwhile, Hurricane Ernesto has become the fifth named storm of this season and the third hurricane of the year in the Atlantic. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued forecasts suggesting an above-average hurricane season due to record warm ocean temperatures. Estimates indicate that we could face between 17 and 25 named storms, of which four to seven are expected to be major hurricanes. In conclusion, Hurricane Ernesto is a chilling reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of even the most prepared communities. As residents of Bermuda confront the storm, local authorities and emergency services are working to ensure the safety of all, while the rest of the world watches closely the development of this atmospheric phenomenon.