Jahphix Television - #1 BVI news

Ernesto Upgraded to Hurricane, Significant Flooding Expected Across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

Editor — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 15:11:46 +0000

The Caribbean region faces heightened threats as Tropical Storm Ernesto has now intensified into a hurricane, bringing with it the risk of significant flooding across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, as heavy rains persist and dangerous conditions loom.

Early Wednesday morning, August 14, Ernesto was upgraded to a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center as it moved through the Atlantic Ocean north of Puerto Rico. The upgrade occurred around 11:00 AM local time when Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds reached 75 mph, as forecasters had predicted. The storm is expected to strengthen further, potentially becoming a major hurricane in the next couple of days.

As of 11:00 AM AST (1500 UTC), Hurricane Ernesto was positioned near latitude 20.5 North and longitude 67.6 West, approximately 175 miles (280 km) northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and around 835 miles (1340 km) south-southwest of Bermuda. The storm is currently moving northwest at 16 mph (26 km/h), with a turn toward the north-northwest and then north expected later today and tonight. The storm is forecasted to continue a generally northward motion at a slower pace through Saturday.

Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds have increased to 75 mph (120 km/h), with higher gusts reported, and the storm’s minimum central pressure has dropped to 991 mb (29.27 inches), signalling further intensification. Hurricane-force winds now extend up to 35 miles (55 km) from the storm’s center, while tropical-storm-force winds reach out as far as 230 miles (370 km).

The forecast track indicates that Ernesto will continue to move away from Puerto Rico today, gradually shifting across the western Atlantic over the next few days. The hurricane is expected to approach Bermuda by Friday and Saturday, potentially strengthening further as it progresses.

For residents in the affected areas, the combination of heavy rainfall and strong winds presents a serious threat. The persistent rains are likely to lead to significant flooding, particularly in low-lying areas and regions already saturated from previous downpours. Flooding could become widespread and severe, prompting local authorities to urge residents to remain vigilant and prepared.

The U.S. and British Virgin Islands, along with Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra, are advised to continue monitoring the situation closely, heed all warnings, and take necessary precautions to protect life and property. As Ernesto advances, the situation remains fluid, and updates from the National Hurricane Center and local disaster management agencies will be critical for ensuring safety.

The post Ernesto Upgraded to Hurricane, Significant Flooding Expected Across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.

Virgin Islands on High Alert as Hurricane Watch Issued For Tropical Storm Ernesto

Editor — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 21:29:49 +0000

The Virgin Islands are bracing for the impact of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which has prompted a hurricane watch for the territory, indicating the possibility of hurricane conditions within the next 12 hours.

Governor Daniel Pruce has activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) at Level 1, the initial monitoring phase in response to the approaching storm. Residents have been urged to finalise their storm preparations by this afternoon and to prepare for sheltering in place tonight and tomorrow as Ernesto approaches.

Non-essential government offices will remain closed on Wednesday, August 14, as a precaution.

Ernesto is expected to bring severe weather overnight across the territory, with high wind gusts and heavy rainfall anticipated tonight. At 5:00 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located approximately 45 miles east-southeast of Road Town, near latitude 18.0 North and longitude 64.1 West. Ernesto is currently moving toward the west-northwest at 18 mph (30 km/h).

The storm is forecast to further strengthen over the next 24 hours, with a turn toward the northwest and a gradual decrease in forward speed expected tonight. By Wednesday night and Thursday, Ernesto is projected to shift toward the north-northwest and then north. The center of Ernesto is expected to pass near or over the Virgin Islands this evening, and then move just to the northeast and north of Puerto Rico tonight and into Wednesday. Ernesto should then head over the western Atlantic later in the week and approach Bermuda by Friday.

In addition to heavy rainfall, a storm surge is expected to raise water levels by one to three feet above normal tide levels. Large, destructive waves are anticipated along the coast, creating hazardous conditions. The swells generated by Ernesto are likely to result in life-threatening surf and dangerous rip currents.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has stressed the importance of stocking up on essential supplies and securing homes and properties. The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services have also issued a tropical storm warning for the Virgin Islands, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The post Virgin Islands on High Alert as Hurricane Watch Issued For Tropical Storm Ernesto appeared first on Jahphix Television - BVI's #1 NEWS SOURCE.