Tropical Storm Ernesto is currently impacting Puerto Rico with heavy rains and strong winds as it intensifies over the Atlantic Ocean.
Forecasts predict that the storm is likely to strengthen into a major hurricane.
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are preparing for potential flash floods and mudslides on Wednesday.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi has activated the National Guard and is advising residents to seek shelter in their homes.
Meanwhile, FEMA has depleted its disaster fund, as reported by CNN. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas had previously warned of this situation a few months ago.
FEMA has requested a $9 billion supplemental funding from Congress, but Congress is currently in recess until September.
This marks the second consecutive year that FEMA has exhausted its funds before the peak of hurricane season, with officials attributing the issue to the rise in disasters and their severity due to climate change.
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President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico as the island is expected to receive up to 8 inches of rainfall in certain areas.
Ernesto is projected to strengthen into a Category 3 Hurricane as it traverses the Atlantic and is anticipated to reach Bermuda by Saturday.
The swells generated by Ernesto are forecasted to impact the East Coast towards the end of the week and weekend, potentially leading to dangerous surf and rip currents, as stated by the National Hurricane Center.
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