In an unprecedented event, Hurricane Ernesto made landfall on the tiny British Atlantic territory of Bermuda on Saturday, bringing powerful winds and torrential rainfall. The storm, which has now transitioned into a large rain-free center region, is slowly moving past Bermuda, according to the National Hurricane Center.

With maximum sustained winds of 80 mph (130 kph), Ernesto is categorized as a slow-moving category 1 hurricane. The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued warnings of strong winds, dangerous storm surges, and significant coastal flooding. A staggering 6 to 9 inches (150-225 millimeters) of rainfall is expected to inundate Bermuda, potentially leading to life-threatening flash floods, especially in low-lying areas.

The Bermuda government has issued a Hurricane warning, urging residents to remain vigilant and cautious. Although the eye of the storm has expanded and Ernesto has slowed down, the second half of the storm is set to move over Bermuda on Saturday afternoon. The storm's large size and sluggish pace mean hurricane-strength winds will persist until Saturday afternoon, with tropical storm-strength winds forecasted to continue into Sunday.

Michael Weeks, the National Security Minister, emphasized that the storm is ongoing and not yet over, urging people to remain alert. The Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) is currently assessing damages as reports from the overnight period come in, and so far, no major damages have been reported.

Beyond Bermuda, Ernesto poses threats to other regions as well. The U.S. National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening surf and rip currents along the east coast of the United States, which are expected to extend to Canada throughout the day. The storm is projected to slowly move away from Bermuda and approach southeastern Newfoundland by late Monday and Monday night.

In Bermuda, the impact of Ernesto has left over 26,000 customers without power, according to the Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO). However, Lana Morris, manager of Edgehill Manor Guest House, reported that conditions remain calm for now, though the winds have started to pick up once again. She reassured that her guests still have electricity, running water, and are comfortable. Communication is maintained through phone calls, as the internet network is currently down.

Bermuda, an archipelago consisting of 181 tiny islands, is facing the rare occurrence of the eye of a hurricane making landfall. AccuWeather noted that since 1850, only 11 out of 130 tropical storms that came within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of Bermuda had landfall, making Ernesto's impact particularly notable.

Before reaching Bermuda, Ernesto had wreaked havoc in the northeast Caribbean, leaving tens of thousands of people in Puerto Rico without water and power. Over 115,000 clients, out of a population of almost 1.5 million, were still grappling with power outages days after the storm passed. An additional 170,000 people were without water, adding to the challenges faced by residents already dealing with severe heat and humidity.

As residents across affected areas endure the aftermath of Hurricane Ernesto, authorities are on high alert, working diligently to assess damages and provide support to those impacted by the storm.