Significant PR flooding - Ernesto strengthens to Cat. 1 Hurricane

Ernesto is officially a Category 1 hurricane as of Tuesday morning with winds of 75 mph as it continues to bring dangerous flooding across Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Ernesto is churning towards the northwest with a shift to the north expected today. Thousands are without power across Puerto Rico today thanks to the heavy rain and wind conditions. Up to 10 inches of rain are expected in Puerto Rico with the British and U.S. Virgin Islands seeing up to 6 inches before Ernesto moves out Wednesday evening.

Not to be outdone, the WindRadar shows gusts reaching higher than 45 mph as Ernesto continues to bring tropical storm conditions to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today.

As Ernesto turns to the north, it won't be a threat to the U.S. mainland. However, interests in Bermuda should keep a close eye on the hurricane through the weekend as it could reach major hurricane status by Friday.

Those heading to the East Coast for late-summer vacations should monitor the beach conditions due to likely swells as Ernesto churns northward.