TAMPA (Florida, US), Aug 13 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tropical Storm Ernesto formed on Monday, hours after a tropical storm warning was issued for Puerto Rico and nearby Caribbean islands.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the tropical disturbance is gaining strength as it reaches the Leeward Islands, with winds up to 40 mph.
Tropical storm conditions could begin on Tuesday for portions of the area, while every model is forecasting the storm will take a hard turn right (north) to remain well east of Florida.
“Until the storm takes that turn, we never let our guard down,” NHC said. “But with a trough coming off the east coast, it definitely will act to just turn that storm out, which is fantastic.”
According to the NHC, heavy rainfall could lead to considerable flash flooding and mudslides in the Leeward Islands later on Monday through Wednesday and over Puerto Rico late Tuesday into Thursday.
The NHC also says Ernesto could impact Bermuda later this week, but it’s too soon to tell as of 11 p.m. Monday. — NNN-AGENCIES
