Hurricane Ernesto was a moderately strong Atlantic hurricane that caused significant flooding in Puerto Rico before striking Bermuda as a hurricane. The fifth named storm and third hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season,Ernesto developed from a tropical wave east of the Leeward Islands. The storm moved towards the Antilles,impacting several nations. Ernesto then turned north,where it reached Category2 strength,before making landfall in Bermuda as a Category1 hurricane on August 17. Ernesto then weakened back to a tropical storm before intensifying back into a hurricane and brushing Atlantic Canada,becoming extratropical by August 20.
At least three deaths have been tied to Ernesto,all related to rip currents from the hurricane along the East Coast of the United States and $520 million in damages were done by Ernesto.[1]
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
The origins of Ernesto can be traced to a tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa on August 7. The wave gradually developed over the next several days. On August 10, a broad low pressure area formed in a large area of relatively organized showers and thunderstorms as it moved quickly westward.[2] As the system was expected to impact the Leeward Islands, it was designated Potential Tropical Cyclone Five soon after.[3] The next day, shower and thunderstorm activity had become better organized, but scatterometer data indicated the system did not yet possess a closed circulation yet. However, deep convection developed near the center of the low pressure area. At 12:00UTC on August12, the system was upgraded Tropical Depression Five about 450mi (720km) east of Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands. The depression became Tropical Storm Ernesto 6 hours later. Then, Ernesto slowed down, steered by a large subtropical ridge. Ernesto approached and made landfall in Guadeloupe as a 40mph (65km/h) strong tropical storm around 09:40UTCon August 13. Later that day, Ernesto turned west-northwestward as it moved over the northeastern portion of the Caribbean Sea. Environmental conditions were conducive for intensification, with low vertical wind shear, very warm sea surface temperatures, and sufficient mid-level moisture.[2]
After moving across the Virgin Islands, Ernesto re-entered the Atlantic Ocean and passed about 45mi (75km) north of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a 70mph (110km/h) strong tropical storm by 06:00UTC on August14. Ernesto continued to intensify and became a hurricane 6 hours later. while located about 115mi (185km) to the northeast of the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. An eyewall formed later that day. Ernesto remained a category1 hurricane on August15, struggling with dry air. Even though the hurricane only slowly intensified, its wind field and radius of maximum wind expanded as a larger eyewall appeared. During this period, Ernesto reached a weakness in the subtropical ridge caused by a large mid-to upper-level trough located just off the eastern U.S. Consequently, the hurricane began to recurve, first turning northwestward, northward, and then northeastward. Ernesto reached a peak intensity as an 100mph (155km/h) strong category 2 hurricane on 00:00UTC on August16, while located several hundred miles south-southwest of Bermuda. Then, the hurricane’s convective structure became asymmetric due to the trough northwest of Ernesto causing increasing vertical wind shear. As Ernesto began moving northeastward, it approached Bermuda.[2]
Ernesto began to weaken as the mid- to upper-level trough steering the system increased westerly vertical wind shear, causing dry air to enter the hurricane. Early on August17, Ernesto made landfall in Bermuda as a 100mph (155km/h) strong category 1 hurricane. The hurricane also slowed down as the trough steering Ernesto its motion bypassed the storm to the north. Ernesto restrengthened to a hurricane at 18:00UTC on August18. The hurricane intensified further as it passed over the warm Gulf Stream waters. The hurricane reached a brief secondary peak of 100mph (155km/h) at 12:00UTC on August19, while located about 520mi (835km) southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland. Afterwards, the tropical cyclone accelerated northeastward, and Ernesto became steered around the northern periphery of a rebuilding subtropical ridge to its southeast. Then, Ernesto began weakening due to cooler sea surface temperatures, and it made its closest approach to Newfoundland near the Avalon Peninsula as it was undergoing extratropical transition, completing this process by 12:00UTC on August20 when it was located about 260mi (415km) east-northeast of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.[2] The extratropical cyclone continued to accelerate east northeastward and opened into a trough 12 hours later.The open trough would hit Great Britain and Ireland on August 22,[4]
The Puerto Rico National Guard was mobilized ahead of the arrival of the storm. The government also delayed the start of classes for public schools and froze prices for essential goods, while municipal mayors activated emergency plans. LUMA Energy said that there were over 1,000 workers and more than $200million worth of supplies ready to respond to power outages due to the storm, as well as independent contractors.[14] The National Guard also transferred the only remaining native parrots, the Puerto Rico Amazon, on the island indoors.[15] More than 140 flights were cancelled in Puerto Rico.[16]
Bermuda
Hurricane Ernesto at its initial peak intensity while approaching Bermuda on August 16
Bermuda was placed under a hurricane warning.[9] The L.F. Wade International Airport was closed, while public transportation was temporarily halted.[17]
Rip current warnings statements and small craft advisories were issued along the coast of Florida from West Palm Beach up to Jacksonville and also along the coast of Georgia.[19] In New York City, parks and the beaches of Brooklyn and Queens were shut down.[20]
Areas of Scotland were placed under a yellow warning by the Met Office as the remnants of Ernesto were forecast to approach.[21]Met Éireann also issued yellow warnings for Galway and Mayo.[22] The Strathaven Balloon Race was cancelled in anticipation of gusty winds from the system.[23] Sandbags were distributed and placed across west Ireland.[24]Galway County Council shut down roads and parking that were vulnerable to flooding.[22]
Impact
Leeward Islands
A gust of 77 miles per hour (124km/h) was recorded in Saint Barthélemy and 61 miles per hour (98km/h) in Saint Martin.[25] In Sint Maarten, minor damage was reported. Localized flooding occurred, while some bits of debris were thrown around.[26] As Ernesto passed south of Anguilla, it brought strong winds and hazardous surf conditions to the island. The Blowing Hole and Sandy Ground ports were closed in preparation for the storm, and the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport closed early until further notice.[27] On the island of Sint Eustatius, many trees were downed, including a large one in Hell Hole that was completely snapped in half. Almost every village on the island had some damage. Multiple roadways were damaged and flooded. One road needed to be stabilized by a backhoe. Power outages occurred, though power was quickly restored. Part of a historic stone structure was knocked into a wall that resided below.[28]
In Saint Kitts and Nevis, powerlines and trees were downed, while workers needed to clear roads of debris after Ernesto passed by. The National Emergency Management Agency of St. Kitts advised residents to stay off roads and potentially unstable ground.[29] Preliminary damage due to Ernesto across the island was estimated at EC$2.1 million (US$780,000).[30] Power outages occurred in Antigua and Barbuda.[31] In Montserrat, heavy rainfall and winds from Ernesto damaged a ship in Little Bay. The boat was carrying roughly 250 litres (66USgal) of diesel oil, though the Oil Spill Team was able to recover it.[32]
Several main roads on the island of Guadeloupe were closed due to the storm.[33] More than 45,000 customers lost power in the Virgin Islands[34] as a result of hurricane force wind gusts. The entirety of Saint Croix and Saint Thomas lost electricity.[35] By August14, many roads in the US Virgin Islands were still damaged and residents were urged to stay off of them. Many trees and utility poles were knocked down by winds across the islands, while branches from the trees were scattered across the roadways.[36] At least six cellphone towers were knocked offline in the Virgin Islands.[37] United States President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for US Virgin Islands.[38]
Power outages occurred on all islands. All schools were closed prior to the storm's arrival.[39] Over 10,000 people were still without power in the US Virgin Islands on August16.[40][41]
Puerto Rico
Preliminary rainfall totals in Puerto Rico from Tropical Storm Ernesto during August 14–15
Sustained winds on the island of Culebra reached 86 mph (138 km/h),[35] where downed trees blocked roads and roofs were blown off. Over 728,000 households in Puerto Rico lost power, around half of the island. An additional 235,000 households suffered water outages.[42] United States President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico.[9] Multiple rivers on the island overflowed, damaging roads and causing flooding.[43] By morning on August16, over 200,000 Puerto Ricans were still without power.[40] According to the Puerto Rico Department of Agriculture, damage to crops on the island totaled $23.5 million (2024 USD), including $11.5 million in damage to bananas, $2.5 million to coffee and vegetables, $2 million to guineos, and $800,000 to citrus and fruits. In addition, $1 million worth of damage was dealt to hydroponics, $1.2 million to fodder, and $2 million to roads.[44] Crews worked to restore power in Puerto Rico.[45]
Bermuda
Wettest tropical cyclones and their remnants in Bermuda Highest-known totals
Ernesto made direct landfall on Bermuda early Saturday morning, August 17 becoming the first to do so since Paulette of 2020.[17] A storm surge of 2.27 ft (0.69 m) was reported. Winds gusted up to 110mph (175km/h)L.F. Wade International Airport reported a rainfall total of 6.98 inches (177 mm). This rainfall resulted in urban flooding that covered some roadways with scattered debris from the floodwater.[2] Hurricane-force gusts swept across the island, toppling utility poles, downing trees or snapping off their branches, and causing light wind damage to a few businesses.[49] Ernesto’s winds kicked up large waves along Bermuda’s coasts;[50] some coastal hotels and business suffered mild flooding.[51]BELCO reported that 51 main power lines were damaged, resulting in widespread outages.[52] At the height of the storm, 28,817 customers on the island lost power, which took several days to be restored in part due to utility pole fires.[51] However, no major damage was reported in Bermuda.[53]
Elsewhere
Swells generated by Ernesto effected the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.[18] Rip currents also impacts the Eastern Seaboard of the United States.[54] In South Carolina, rip currents generated by Ernesto resulted in the deaths of two people.[55] In North Carolina, a home along the shoreline on Hatteras Island collapsed due to the waves generated by Ernesto, while many others were at risk.[56][57][58] One death was reported in North Carolina, where a surfer was found dead in Surf City.[54] Large waves and rip currents also stretched north in beaches in Virginia, Delaware, and Maryland.[59] In New Jersey, a man was rescued by lifeguards after being pulled out by rip currents. He sustained knee and back injuries. In Ventnor City, eight rescues were made.[60] Ernesto's outflow brought dry air to Florida, decreasing rain and heat indices.[61][62] Overall, around ten thousand people were under coastal flood advisories.[63]
↑Terry Tucker (1966). Beware the Hurricane! The Story of the Cyclonic Tropical Storms That Have Struck Bermuda and the Islanders' Folk-lore Regarding Them (1ed.). The Hamilton Press. p.206.
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