Tropical Storm Ernesto is expected to move close to Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands Tuesday evening, as it turns northward in the Caribbean Sea.

Officials warned of widespread flooding, flash floods and potential landslides.

Tropical storm warnings are in place for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Barts and St. Maarten.

Puerto Rico closed schools and government buildings as it braces for potential damage. Governor Pedro Pierluisi activated the National Guard on Monday.

Officials warn of potential widespread power outages due to a poor electrical grid, which has been undergoing repairs and improvements since Hurricane Maria caused damage in 2017. The U.S. Virgin Islands had similar concerns, with St. Thomas and St. John experiencing blackouts Monday.

The storm is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane Thursday in open waters while headed toward Bermuda.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is forecasting an active hurricane season due to a record year of warmer ocean temperatures. Seventeen to 25 storms are predicted, with four to seven Category 3 or stronger hurricanes.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press.

The Voice of America provides news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of over 326 million people. Stories with the VOA News byline are the work of multiple VOA journalists and may contain information from wire service reports.

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