Puerto Rico has activated the National Guard and postponed the start of public school classes in preparation for Tropical Storm Ernesto, which formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Monday and is expected to hit the U.S. territory. Tropical storm warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and other neighboring islands.
The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and moving west-northwest at 28 mph, is the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. Forecasters predict it will cause flooding and landslides as it approaches the region.
Officials are warning residents to stay prepared and vigilant, as the storm’s trajectory may change. Governor Albert Bryan Jr. of the U.S. Virgin Islands emphasized the importance of taking the storm seriously, as it is expected to strengthen and potentially become a major Category 3 hurricane.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting a busier than normal hurricane season, with the possibility of 17 to 25 named storms and four to seven major hurricanes. For more information on NBC Latino, sign up for the weekly newsletter.
Source: www.nbcnews.com
