Tropical Storm Ernesto to bring rain, flooding to Puerto Rico: Path

Tropical Storm Ernesto is taking aim at Puerto Rico, where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

On Tuesday, Ernesto will move through the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean. By Tuesday night, Ernesto will approach the Greater Antilles, including Puerto Rico.

For Puerto Rico, the worst of the storm is Tuesday night into early Wednesday.

Ernesto will bring gusty winds, flash flooding and up to 10 inches of rain is possible in some areas.

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi is warning residents to stay home starting on Tuesday evening, when the tropical storm-force winds are forecast to reach the island.

Ernesto’s winds, paired with vegetation around power lines, will likely cause high levels of power outages on the island, according to Juan Saca, president of Luma Energy.

Shelters are open and more than 1,500 electrical line workers are prepared to help with power outages, officials said.

Ernesto is forecast to strengthen to a hurricane by Wednesday morning.

By Friday morning, Ernesto may strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane with winds up to 110 mph before heading in the general direction of Bermuda.

Bermuda may see impacts from Ernesto by late Friday into early Saturday, and the storm will leave by Sunday.

This weekend, Ernesto is expected to bring rough surf and rip currents to the East Coast, from Florida to the Northeast, but the storm isn't forecast to make landfall on the U.S. mainland.