Ernesto struck Bermuda on Saturday as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, bringing with it gusty winds and heavy rain that led to flooding. Parts of the British island nation were left without power.
On Saturday, Ernesto, a Category 1 hurricane on the five-point ascending Saffir-Simpson scale, hit Bermuda with strong winds that knocked down trees. Waves of 10 metres were reported. 36,000 customers, or about 71 per cent of the population of the British island territory, were left without power, officials said.
Heavy rains
In some areas, more than 150 liters of rain fell per square meter. Such heavy rainfall led to flooding. “The forecast was for more rain,” said Michelle Pitcher, director of the Bermuda Weather Service.
“We are nearing the end of the hurricane, but we are not there yet,” said Michael Weeks, Bermuda's Minister of National Security.
Currently Ernesto has weakened and is storm tropical. The National Weather Service (NWS) said the storm could still strengthen into a hurricane. The storm's center is forecast to approach southeastern Newfoundland in Canada on Monday.
Ernesto hit BermudaReuters
Main image source: Reuters