Bermuda on high alert as Hurricane Ernesto strengthens

The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has placed the island under a Hurricane Warning ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ernesto.

In its 6am forecast, BWS said Ernesto’s track and timing has remained fairly consistent and they don’t expect any significant changes from previous forecasts.

“However, due to the size of Bermuda, any slight nudges to either the east or west may result in significantly different impacts. As such, all preparations should be completed by tomorrow if not completed already. Preparations may be affected by torrential rainfall forecast beginning tomorrow through the onset of Hurricane Ernesto. Localised flooding is likely,” BWS stated.

Ernesto is located 975 kilometres south-south-west of Bermuda. The storm has maximum sustained winds that are near 85 mph (140 km/h).

Forecasters expect Ernesto to strengthen over the next day or two and become a major hurricane by Friday.

Ernesto is forecast to be a large hurricane near Bermuda on Saturday.

BWS said Bermuda is expected to experience tropical storm force winds from Ernesto between 3-5pm on Friday.

Storm force winds are forecast to arrive between 11pm Friday to 1am Saturday and Hurricane force winds to arrive between 4-6am Saturday.