Ernesto intensifies into a hurricane
Ernesto has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane as it moves northwest of Puerto Rico.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Ernesto achieved hurricane status at 11:00 am on Wednesday, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).
It is now the third hurricane of the season.
As of the latest advisory, Hurricane Ernesto was located approximately 175 miles (280 km) northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 835 miles (1340 km) south-southwest of Bermuda.
The storm is currently moving northwest at 16 mph (26 km/h), with a shift towards a more northerly direction expected in the coming hours.
Tropical Storm Warnings remain in effect for the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra.
While Ernesto’s center is moving away from Puerto Rico, the storm’s large wind field, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 230 miles (370 km) from the center, continues to pose a significant threat to the region.
Forecasters warn that the persistent heavy rains could lead to dangerous flooding and mudslides in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
As Ernesto tracks northward, Bermuda is now under close watch. The National Hurricane Center has indicated that a hurricane watch may be issued for the island later today.