Ernesto is now a hurricane.

It is currently north of Puerto Rico and is expected to continue moving away from that island today.

Additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, with Ernesto forecast to approach Bermuda Friday and Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are currently at 120 km/h, making Ernesto a Category 1 hurricane.

This system currently poses no threat to T&T.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• British Virgin Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Vieques and Culebra

The Associated Press says Ernesto has already caused torrential rain on Puerto Rico and left nearly half of the population there without power.

Meanwhile, an island-wide blackout was reported in St. John and St. Croix, and at least six cell phone towers were knocked offline across the U.S. territory.