Hurricane Ernesto Batters Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, Heads for Bermuda

As of Wednesday evening, Hurricane Ernesto left hundreds of thousands without power in Puerto Rico and caused complete blackouts in two of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Puerto Rico: Up to 730,000 without power, with blackouts down to 649,000 (44%) as of 8 p.m. ET, per LUMA Energy.
• U.S. Virgin Islands: St. John and St. Croix completely dark, six cell towers offline.
• Over 9 inches of rain in parts of Puerto Rico in 24 hours, per U.S. Geological Survey.

"The territory was in "good shape," but conditions for travel remained dangerous," - U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.

As of 8 p.m. ET, Ernesto had left Puerto Rico, strengthening over the Atlantic with sustained winds of 80 mph, per NHC.

Where is it Heading?

• Ernesto turned northwest, aiming at Bermuda and intensifying.
• Could become a Category 3 hurricane by Friday, per NHC.
• Current projections show it drifting over the Atlantic, not hitting the eastern seaboard.

Click here to view a map of Ernesto's projected path.

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Links:

• Hurricane Ernesto Update, USA Today
• Luma Energy Blackout Update
• USVI Facebook Update
• 9 Inches of Rainfall, USGS
• NHC Hurricane Update
• Ernesto Map and Models, USA Today