Meteorologists warned that as the storm continued to travel through warm waters, it was expected to gain strength and progress into a category one hurricane.
New Providence should expect windy conditions and thundershowers as of today, officials said.
Tropical storm warnings were in effect for Ragged Island and the Exuma Cays and a hurricane watch was in effect for Andros, Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions can be experienced within 24 hours whereas a hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions can be experienced within 36 hours.
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and possible flooding can be expected in Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Ragged Island, officials reported.
Meteorologists also indicated that air and sea travel could be affected for those islands within days.
Chief Meteorologist Arnold King warned that small craft operators in Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island and Ragged Island should remain in port. Small craft operators in Long Island, Exuma, Andros, Bimini and Grand Bahama should not venture far from port.
During a press briefing at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Senior Deputy Director at the Department of Meteorology Trevor Basden said residents and visitors to The Bahamas should brace themselves for stormy whether conditions from today.
At 2pm yesterday, the storm was traveling at 10 miles per hour across Cuba with wind speeds reaching 40 miles per hour.
“As it passes over Cuba we are expecting it to be shifted to the east. That is the reason there is a watch on for The Bahamas. As Tropical Strom Ernesto passes over warmer waters in The Bahamas we are expecting for it to gradually strengthen and become a hurricane by Wednesday 8am,” Mr. Basden said.
Chief Climatological Officer Michael Stubbs, who is currently stationed at the National Hurricane Centre in Florida, said the storm could potentially cause flooding as meteorologists anticipated at least two to four inches of rain.
“We are looking at windy conditions in excess of 40 miles per hour and storm activity. We are also looking at four to five feet of surge above the normal sea level. All mariners should remain in port because the weather will deteriorate over the next 24 hours,” Mr. Stubbs warned.
Interim Director of NEMA Carl Smith indicated that all administrators on the various islands that are being watched have been contacted and updated on the storm.
He also said shelters have already been allocated in the event that residents would have to leave their homes and relocate to the various shelters.
Mr. Smith urged residents to heed the storm warnings.
“Residents should secure all openings, ensure that they have adequate supplies and should the need arise move to allocated shelters. The message is you cannot take these things lightly. Whatever cyclone system it is, whether itﾒs a tropical storm or hurricane, we need to take it seriously,” Mr. Smith said.
During the afternoon hours, Inagua and Mayaguana were already experiencing rainy weather conditions as a result of Ernesto.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
