Hurricane Ernesto is intensifying and threatening the islands of Bermuda

Hurricane ErnestoType 2 is targeted BermudaAccording to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). Authorities in the area are taking precautionary measures, including opening shelters and closing government offices, in anticipation of the storm's arrival on Saturday morning.

The storm is located 345 kilometers south-southwest of Bermuda and is moving north-northeast at 22 kilometers per hour. Wind speed of 155 kilometers per hour. According to meteorologists, Ernesto is expected to intensify before moving near or over the islands. Tropical storm conditions with strong winds and rain are expected Friday afternoon.

The NHC warned Dangerous storm surge Causes significant coastal flooding in Bermuda, accompanied by an upwelling Huge and destructive waves.

Local authorities have announced the suspension of public transport, the closure of the airport and the closure of grocery stores. Bermuda's Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, urged citizens to complete their preparations by Thursday.Time is running out”.

Bermuda, home to 181 small islands, faces an unusual situation because the eye of a hurricane rarely makes landfall there. Since 1850, only 11 of 130 tropical storms have passed near the island. AccuWeather. Bermuda's elastic structure and elevation reduce the impact of storm surges.

In earlier days, Ernesto was influential Puerto Rico As a tropical storm, exits Tens of thousands of people without electricity and water. More than 250,000 of the island's 1.4 million customers are without power, and 170,000 are without water. Along with this, a severe heat warning issued by the National Weather Service indicates the conditions “Dangerous heat and humidity”.

Andres Cabrera, an affected resident, commented on the difficult situation of living without running water or electricity, noting that he relies on “wind from the street”. Officials plan to restore power to 90% of customers in Puerto Rico by Sunday, although there is no specific date yet for the full restoration of service.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts This year was an above-average Atlantic hurricane seasondue to High sea temperatures. Between 17 and 25 named storms are expected, with up to seven major hurricanes.

“This season promises to be extraordinary in many ways,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad. He added that the forecast NOAA released in May was the most extreme in 25 years. The company updates its forecasts every August.

The news agency reported APWhen analyzing the intensity of a hurricane season, meteorologists examine two basic factors: ocean temperatures in the Atlantic (where storms form and need warm water to fuel), and whether there is a hurricane event. Girl or boy(Natural and periodic cooling or warming of the Pacific Ocean).

A La Niña event enhances storm activity in the Atlantic and reduces the intensity of storms in the Pacific. An El Nino phenomenon has the opposite effect.

Ernesto is the fifth named storm and third hurricane of this year's Atlantic hurricane season. Precautionary measures continue in Bermuda as the storm approaches.

(With information from AP and EFE)