Thousands without power as Ernesto exits Bermuda

Hurricane Ernesto made landfall in Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 85 miles (137 kilometers) per hour – Copyright NOAA/GOES/AFP Handout

Hurricane Ernesto lashed Bermuda with heavy rains and strong winds Saturday, leaving much of the British Atlantic Ocean territory without power before continuing on its path toward eastern Canada.

The hurricane, which hit Puerto Rico earlier this week, was “inching away from Bermuda” but still creating powerful tropical storm conditions as of Saturday evening, according to the US-based National Hurricane Center.

It made landfall at 5:30 am local time (0830 GMT) packing maximum sustained winds of 85 miles (137 kilometers) per hour, the NHC said.

“We continue to pass thr