Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands ports reopen as Hurricane Ernesto passes

Ports in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have resumed operations after Hurricane Ernesto passed the area, the US Coast Guard said.

MAP: Tropical Storm Ernesto is near Bermuda. National Hurricane Center

However, Fredriksted Port in St. Croix remains closed under “port condition Zulu”. Zulu comes into effect when gale-force wind gusts are forecast to hit the region within 12 hours.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution due to potential floating debris and to report any abnormalities to the Coast Guard.

Ports in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands closed on Tuesday when the hurricane, which formed earlier this week, intensified into a Category 1 hurricane on Wednesday, with wind speeds reaching 80 miles/hour near Puerto Rico.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Ernesto, which is now a category 2 storm, is expected to strengthen further before reaching Bermuda late Friday. All ports in Bermuda are currently closed.

By Debarati Bhattacharjee

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