Hurricane Ernesto strengthens, moves toward Bermuda

Hurricane Ernesto was heading toward Bermuda on Thursday, after its winds knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people and dumped torrential rain on Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Ernesto was heading toward Bermuda on Thursday, after its winds knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people and dumped torrential rain on Puerto Rico.

The storm, which strengthened into a hurricane after passing by Puerto Rico on Wednesday, was last passing over open water about 605 miles south, southwest of Bermuda at a rate of about 13 mph. Its maximum sustained winds were blowing at 85 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 8 a.m. advisory.

"Satellite imagery indicates that Ernesto is gradually strengthening," the NHC said in a 2 a.m. ET update.

The National Hurricane Center and Bermuda Weather Service issued a hurricane warning early Thursday for Bermuda, meaning sustained winds of 64 knots, or about 74 mph, are expected in the island’s marine area within 36 hours.

A vehicle damaged after Ernesto hit Fajardo, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday.Jaydee Lee Serrano / AFP - Getty ImagesHC Director Dr. Michael Brennan said in a video briefing Wednesday that when the center of Ernesto passes near or over Bermuda on Saturday, the hurricane is likely to be “at or near major hurricane intensity.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/hurricane-ernesto-strengthens-bermuda-puerto-rico-rcna166692

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