Tropical Storm Ernesto continues its path toward much of the Lesser Antilles arc, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, threatening to bring strong rain, winds, and storm surge.
For this reason, it is necessary to be prepared for what may be felt in our country, especially in the eastern half and the municipal islands of Vieques and Culebra.
According to the latest bulletin issued by the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the greatest dangers for Puerto Rico would be the following:
A tropical storm warning is in effect, which means storm conditions will be experienced in our area within the next 36 hours.
A flash flood warning is in effect through Thursday night for rainfall of three to six inches, with a maximum of 10 inches in isolated areas.
Tropical storm winds will affect mainly the eastern and northern parts of the country starting Tuesday night and practically all day Wednesday, while Ernesto leaves our island towards the Atlantic.
At sea, storm surge will raise water levels up to one to three feet above ground level on the east coast of Puerto Rico, from San Juan to Guayama and including the island municipalities of Culebra and Vieques. The waves, meanwhile, will begin to be high within the next few hours and will remain dangerous to life until the storm leaves our area.
The system continues to move west at 20 miles per hour (mph) and is expected to pass over or very close to the eastern part of the island tonight or after midnight Wednesday.
