Tropical Storm Ernesto’s heavy rain hits Puerto Rico

Schools and offices were shut in Puerto Rico as it was hit by torrential rain from Tropical Storm Ernesto, which may and become the season's third hurricane.

Schools and offices were shut in Puerto Rico Wednesday morning as the Caribbean island was hit by torrential rain from Tropical Storm Ernesto, which is set to gather in strength over the Atlantic and become the third hurricane of the season later this morning.

Ernesto is passing north of the U.S. territory, but authorities there are still expecting widespread disruption, power outages and heavy rainfall. The Puerto Rican government said there were 344 shelters available and that public transport is suspended.

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi urged people to be indoors by Tuesday evening as forecasts warned of as much as 10 inches of rain could hit the southeast of the island, with possible landslides and widespread flooding. The storm was about 85 miles north of the capital, San Juan, early Wednesday.

"We are particularly warning tourists and our own population to stay away from the ocean. Ocean conditions particularly in the north and the eastern part of Puerto Rico are going to be very dangerous," the governor said.

Ernesto's maximum sustained wind speed was close to 70 mph at 5 a.m. Wednesday, the NHC said, not far from the 76 mph needed for a hurricane classification. It will continue to draw strength from the warm waters of the Atlantic and "could become a major hurricane in a couple of days," according to the NHC.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/tropical-storm-ernestos-heavy-rain-hits-puerto-rico-rcna166511

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