Hurricane Ernesto made landfall in Bermuda on Saturday as a Category 1 storm, leaving a trail of destruction and power outages in its wake. As of Sunday morning, half of Bermuda remained without electricity due to storm-related damage, according to reports from The Weather Channel.

While the center of Hurricane Ernesto has now moved away from Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center warns that it is heading towards the East Coast of the United States. North Carolina, South Carolina, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are all expected to experience dangerous beach conditions, including potentially life-threatening surf and rip currents over the next few days. However, it is not anticipated to make direct landfall in the U.S.

Forecasters predict that by Monday night, Ernesto will pass near southeastern Newfoundland, Canada. These developments have prompted the issuance of high surf advisories along the East Coast of the United States. Particularly in North Carolina and South Carolina, life-threatening rip currents are a concerning risk, urging beachgoers to exercise extreme caution.

During the weekend, lifeguards in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. reported 23 rip current rescues, while Tybee Island, Ga. saw at least four mild, ongoing rip currents in the area. The National Weather Service estimates that over 630,000 people are under high surf advisory, with more than 10.2 million residents currently living in rip current-prone situations.

The Bahamas, Bermuda, states along the East Coast of the U.S., and Newfoundland, Canada, are expected to face strong winds, flooding, and the hazards of rip currents. The National Hurricane Center highlights the potential for life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in these areas due to the swells generated by Hurricane Ernesto.

In Puerto Rico, although electricity and water have been largely restored in recent days, there are still significant challenges. As of Sunday morning, over 85,000 customers were without power, and approximately 100,000 customers remained without water, according to the Puerto Rico Emergency Portal System. In response to the situation, President Biden approved federal assistance as requested by the governor of Puerto Rico.

Cruise lines such as Carnival, Celebrity, and Norwegian have also taken precautions to avoid Ernesto. They have adjusted their itineraries for ships that were initially planning to travel to the northern Caribbean, ensuring the safety of their passengers and crew.

As the damage caused by Ernesto's heavy rains and strong winds in Puerto Rico emerges, photos illustrate the extent of destruction faced by the island. However, efforts are underway to provide relief and support to the affected areas, both domestically and internationally.

People in the impacted regions are urged to stay informed about the latest developments and follow the guidance of local authorities to ensure their safety during this active hurricane season.