Hurricane Ernesto Causes Widespread Power Outages in Puerto Rico

Hurricane Ernesto has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane, causing widespread power outages in Puerto Rico where nearly half of the island's residents lost electricity due to torrential rains and damaging winds. As of Thursday morning, approximately 975,000 customers were without power, with the situation exacerbated by the island's fragile electrical grid, which has not fully recovered from Hurricane María in 2017. The storm is currently about 675 miles south-southwest of Bermuda and is forecasted to approach the island by Saturday, prompting hurricane warnings and watches for Bermuda. Meanwhile, emergency measures are being taken in Puerto Rico, including the activation of the National Guard and the suspension of public school classes, as flooding and evacuations are reported in vulnerable areas. President Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico to facilitate federal aid. Experts note that while Ernesto's winds have weakened slightly, the heavy rainfall poses significant risks of flooding.