Hurricane Ernesto lashed Bermuda with torrential rain and strong winds early as it approached the British Atlantic territory, and meteorologists warned of dangerous storm surges and flooding.
The cyclone, which hit Puerto Rico early in the week and left at least 600,000 people without power, was 40 km southwest of the archipelago at 06:00 GMT, with maximum sustained winds of 140 km per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The storm was expected to pass near or over Bermuda over the next few hours.
"A dangerous storm surge is expected to cause significant coastal flooding in Bermuda in areas with onshore winds. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves," the NHC warned.
Ernesto was expected to dump 150-225 mm of rain on Bermuda.
"This rainfall is likely to result in significant life-threatening flash flooding, particularly in low-lying areas of the island," the NHC said.
Bermudians prepared for the storm's arrival by pulling boats out of the ocean and water, closing windows, filling bathtubs with water and stocking up on batteries and food items.
"This storm is real," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Weeks said after a meeting of emergency officials on Friday, according to the Royal Gazette.
"This is not a storm to be taken lightly," he said, warning islanders to expect 36 hours of hurricane-force winds.
"Please take every precaution to protect your lives and property. Stay indoors, be safe and I pray that we are all spared any real loss or damage," Wicks added.
Some key roads are closed and bus and ferry services have been suspended, the paper added.
L.F. Wade" in Bermuda said it would remain closed until Sunday after the storm passes. | BGNES
