Written By Lisa Murimi
Hurricane Ernesto, which strengthened into a Category 1 storm on Wednesday, has left over half of Puerto Rico’s homes and businesses without power.
LUMA Energy, the island’s main power supplier, reported that around 998,000 customers are currently without electricity.
The storm’s impact was severe, with winds reaching up to 85 mph (140 km/h) and heavy rains causing widespread flooding.
Ernesto, which is expected to continue intensifying, is moving northward towards Bermuda, where it is anticipated to make landfall on Friday.
Forecasters predict that it could escalate into a major hurricane within the next 48 hours.
In Puerto Rico, the storm unleashed up to 10 inches (25 cm) of rain in some areas, further exacerbating the situation.
LUMA Energy’s President Juan Saca stated that over 1,500 employees are working to restore power and assess the damage.
The devastation echoes the challenges faced during Hurricane Fiona in 2022, which left around 80% of the island without power for nearly a month.
Ernesto is the fifth named Atlantic storm of the season, following Hurricane Beryl, which had earlier caused significant damage in the Caribbean and Texas Gulf Coast.
