Hurricane Ernesto makes landfall on Bermuda as category 1 storm

HAMILTON (WAM)

Hurricane Ernesto made landfall on the tiny British Atlantic territory of Bermuda early Saturday as residents hunkered down, AP reported.

The wide category 1 storm was directly over the wealthy territory at 6 am on Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph.

The US National Hurricane Centre warned of strong winds, a dangerous storm surge and significant coastal flooding.

It said some 6 to 9 inches (150-225 millimetres) of rain was expected to fall on Bermuda. “This rainfall will likely result in considerable life-threatening flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas on the island,” it said.