 Ernesto at peak intensity south ofNova Scotia on August 19 | |
| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 12, 2024 |
| Extratropical | August 20, 2024 |
| Dissipated | August 21, 2024 |
| Category 2 hurricane | |
| 1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS) | |
| Highest winds | 100 mph (155 km/h) |
| Lowest pressure | 967mbar (hPa); 28.56 inHg |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Damage | $520 million (2024USD) |
| Areas affected | Leeward Islands,Puerto Rico,Bermuda, and parts ofAtlantic Canada |
IBTrACS | |
Part of the2024 Atlantic hurricane season | |
Hurricane Ernesto was a moderately strongAtlantic hurricane that caused significant flooding in Puerto Rico before striking Bermuda as a hurricane, becoming the second-wettest tropical cyclone in the territory on record. The fifthnamed storm and thirdhurricane of the2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Ernesto developed from atropical wave east of theLeeward Islands. The storm moved towards theAntilles, impacting several nations. Ernesto then turned north, where it reached Category 2 strength, before making landfall inBermuda as a Category 1 hurricane on August 17. Ernesto then weakened back to a tropical storm before intensifying back into a hurricane and brushingAtlantic Canada, becoming extratropical by August 20.
At least three deaths have been tied to Ernesto, all related torip currents from the hurricane along theEast Coast of the United States and $520 million in damages were done by Ernesto.[1]
Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depressionThe origins of Ernesto can be traced to atropical wave that emerged off the coast ofAfrica on August 7. The wave graduallydeveloped over the next several days. On August 10, a broadlow 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 theLeeward Islands, it was designatedPotential 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, deepconvection developed near the center of the low pressure area. At 12:00 UTC on August 12, the system was upgradedTropical Depression Five about 450 mi (720 km) east of Guadeloupe in the Leeward Islands. The depression became Tropical Storm Ernesto 6 hours later. Then, Ernesto slowed down, steered by a largesubtropical ridge. Ernesto approached and made landfall inGuadeloupe as a 40 mph (65 km/h) strong tropical storm around 09:40UTC on August 13. Later that day, Ernesto turned west-northwestward as it moved over the northeastern portion of theCaribbean Sea. Environmental conditions were conducive for intensification, with lowvertical wind shear, very warmsea surface temperatures, and sufficient mid-level moisture.[2]
After moving across theVirgin Islands, Ernesto re-entered the Atlantic Ocean and passed about 45 mi (75 km) north ofSan Juan, Puerto Rico as a 70 mph (110 km/h) strong tropical storm by 06:00 UTC on August 14. Ernesto continued to intensify and became a hurricane 6 hours later. while located about 115 mi (185 km) to the northeast of the eastern tip of theDominican Republic. Aneyewall formed later that day. Ernesto remained a category 1 hurricane on August 15, 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 100 mph (155 km/h) strong category 2 hurricane on 00:00 UTC on August 16, 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 approachedBermuda.[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 August 17, Ernesto made landfall in Bermuda as a 100 mph (155 km/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 18:00 UTC on August 18. The hurricane intensified further as it passed over the warm Gulf Stream waters. The hurricane reached a brief secondary peak of 100 mph (155 km/h) at 12:00 UTC on August 19, while located about 520 mi (835 km) southwest ofCape 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 toNewfoundland near theAvalon Peninsula as it was undergoing extratropical transition, completing this process by 12:00 UTC on August 20 when it was located about 260 mi (415 km) east-northeast ofSt. 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 hitGreat Britain andIreland on August 22,[4]
Tropical storm warnings were issued in advance of Ernesto forAnguilla,Antigua and Barbuda, theBritish Virgin Islands, theFrench West Indies (apart fromMartinique),Montserrat, Puerto Rico,Saint Kitts and Nevis,Sint Maarten, and theUnited States Virgin Islands[5][6] A hurricane watch was issued for the British and US Virgin Islands,[7][8] and a hurricane warning was issued for Bermuda.[9]
Orange alerts were issued for the French territories ofSaint Martin andSaint Barthelemy. The offices ofFrance Travail closed on August 13 with remaining teams mobilized via telephone.[10] InSint Maarten, the Dutch portion of Saint Martin,Princess Juliana International Airport closed at August 13 and reopened the following day.[11] Schools in the territory were closed. Prime MinisterLuc Mercelina ordered political parties and businesses to remove billboards and other apparatus from public roads.[12] TheVC Bird International Airport inAntigua closed on the night of August 12 and reopened the following afternoon.[13]
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 $200 million 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]
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Bermuda was placed under a hurricane warning.[9] TheL.F. Wade International Airport was closed, while public transportation was temporarily halted.[17]
Dangerous rip currents were warned for inthe Bahamas,Turks and Caicos Islands, and theDominican Republic.[18]
Rip current warnings statements and small craft advisories were issued along the coast of Florida fromWest Palm Beach up toJacksonville and also along the coast ofGeorgia.[19] In New York City, parks and the beaches ofBrooklyn andQueens were shut down.[20]
Areas ofScotland were placed under a yellow warning by theMet Office as the remnants of Ernesto were forecast to approach.[21]Met Éireann also issued yellow warnings forGalway andMayo.[22] TheStrathaven 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]
A gust of 77 miles per hour (124 km/h) was recorded inSaint Barthélemy and 61 miles per hour (98 km/h) inSaint Martin.[25] InSint Maarten, minor damage was reported. Localized flooding occurred, while some bits of debris were thrown around.[26] As Ernesto passed south ofAnguilla, 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 theClayton J. Lloyd International Airport closed early until further notice.[27] On the island ofSint 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 abackhoe. Power outages occurred, though power was quickly restored. Part of a historic stone structure was knocked into a wall that resided below.[28]
InSaint 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 atEC$2.1 million (US$780,000).[30] Power outages occurred inAntigua and Barbuda.[31] InMontserrat, heavy rainfall and winds from Ernesto damaged a ship inLittle Bay. The boat was carrying roughly 250 litres (66 US gal) of diesel oil, though the Oil Spill Team was able to recover it.[32]
Several main roads on the island ofGuadeloupe were closed due to the storm.[33] More than 45,000 customers lost power in theVirgin Islands[34] as a result of hurricane force wind gusts. The entirety ofSaint Croix andSaint Thomas lost electricity.[35] By August 14, many roads in theUS 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 PresidentJoe 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 August 16.[40][41]
Sustained winds on the island ofCulebra 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 PresidentJoe Biden approved a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico.[9] Multiple rivers on the island overflowed, damaging roads and causing flooding.[43] By morning on August 16, over 200,000 Puerto Ricans were still without power.[40] According to thePuerto Rico Department of Agriculture, damage to crops on the island totaled $23.5 million (2024USD), including $11.5 million in damage to bananas, $2.5 million to coffee and vegetables, $2 million toguineos, and $800,000 to citrus and fruits. In addition, $1 million worth of damage was dealt tohydroponics, $1.2 million tofodder, and $2 million to roads.[44] Crews worked to restore power in Puerto Rico.[45]
| Precipitation | Storm | Location | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | mm | in | |||
| 1 | 186.7 | 7.35 | October 1939 Hurricane | [46] | |
| 2 | 177 | 7.0 | Ernesto 2024 | [2] | |
| 3 | 172.0 | 6.77 | Nicole 2016 | [47] | |
| 4 | 153.7 | 6.05 | Arlene 1963 | [48] | |
| 5 | 151.4 | 5.96 | Cristobal 2002 | ||
| 6 | 148.0 | 5.83 | Nicole 2004 | ||
| 7 | 134.1 | 5.28 | T.D. #23A 1967 | [48] | |
| 8 | 126.2 | 4.97 | Franklin 2005 | ||
| 9 | 125.0 | 4.92 | Emily 1981 | [48] | |
| 10 | 124.0 | 4.88 | Harvey 2005 | ||
Ernesto made direct landfall on Bermuda early Saturday morning, August 17 becoming the first to do so sincePaulette of 2020.[17] A storm surge of 2.27 ft (0.69 m) was reported. Winds gusted up to 110 mph (175 km/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]
Swells generated by Ernesto effected the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic.[18] Rip currents also impacts theEastern Seaboard of the United States.[54] InSouth Carolina, rip currents generated by Ernesto resulted in the deaths of two people.[55] InNorth Carolina, a home along the shoreline onHatteras 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 inSurf City.[54] Large waves and rip currents also stretched north in beaches inVirginia,Delaware, andMaryland.[59] InNew Jersey, a man was rescued by lifeguards after being pulled out by rip currents. He sustained knee and back injuries. InVentnor City, eight rescues were made.[60] Ernesto's outflow brought dry air to Florida, decreasing rain andheat indices.[61][62] Overall, around ten thousand people were undercoastal flood advisories.[63]
InGalway, streets andquays along waterways were inundated.[24] Flooding was exacerbated by asupermoon.[22]
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Tropical cyclones of the2024 Atlantic hurricane season | ||
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