Hurricane Ernesto [2024 Facts and Info] (2024)

Are you a hurricane hobbyist?

With the 2024 hurricane season developing, are you keeping an eye out for a current hurricane name and then researching previous storms with that name?

The names given to major Atlantic storms come from a list originated and recycled every six years by the World Meteorological Organization.

Ernesto is the fifth name on the list for 2024.

Since 1982, seven Atlantic Ocean tropical cyclones have been named Ernesto — five remaining at tropical storm status, and two developing into hurricanes.

This season, Potential Tropical Cyclone Five became Tropical Storm Ernesto on August 12. Two days later, Ernesto became a hurricane.

Ernesto’s identification as a tropical storm and as a hurricane during the 2024 hurricane season was determined by its wind speed.

All named storms are a form of tropical cyclone, a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has a closed low-level circulation.

As a tropical depression early in a cyclone’s development, wind speeds are less than 39 mph. Tropical depressions are not named but are tracked in case they grow into tropical storms or hurricanes.

Ernesto’s classification as a tropical storm and the release of its name happened when its sustained wind speed reached 39 mph. When that speed reached 74 mph, Ernesto became a hurricane.

As you’ll see below, even if a tropical storm never achieves hurricane status, it can pose a threat to lives and property.

The Power of Preparedness

Ensure your family is protected in the face of unexpected challenges with our Disaster Preparedness Guide.

Topics Include:

— Family Communication Plan
— Evacuation Plans
— Care for Pets
— Weather Monitoring

When Was Hurricane Ernesto?

If you’re wondering, “When did Hurricane Ernesto hit?” or “What year was Hurricane Ernesto?” you can look up the hurricane seasons for 2006 and 2012.

Of the seven Atlantic cyclones named Ernesto in earlier seasons, two developed into hurricanes in those years. Hurricane Ernesto was named on August 14 this year.

Where Did Hurricane Ernesto Hit?

In 2006, Hurricane Ernesto weakened from hurricane status in the Caribbean, made landfall as a tropical storm in Haiti and Cuba, and continued to Florida and the Carolinas.

Ernesto made landfall in Mexico in 2012. While some damage is anticipated as Tropical Storm Ernesto moves across several Caribbean islands this season, the largest portion of its path in the days ahead is expected to be in the open ocean.

Although Ernesto reached hurricane status over open ocean, its trailing weather system brought severe rain to Puerto Rico on August 14.

What Category Was Hurricane Ernesto?

Hurricane Ernesto was a Category 1 storm in 2006, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. In 2012, Ernesto grew to Category 2 with 100 mph winds. Hurricane Ernesto has been measured as a Category 1 storm in 2024.

What Time Will Hurricane Ernesto Make Landfall?

If you research, “What time did Hurricane Ernesto make landfall?” during storms in 2006 and 2012, you will not be any more prepared if Ernesto becomes a significant storm in 2024.

Stay up to date with any current storm predicted to reach your region and be aware of that specific storm’s estimated landfall. With any severe storm, don’t make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to reach a safe area.

This article will be updated as more details about 2024’s Ernesto become available.

How Many People Died in Hurricane Ernesto?

In 2006, Hurricane Ernesto killed 11 people — five in Haiti and two each in Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Those deaths happened after Ernesto weakened to a tropical storm, a reminder that even lesser storms need to be taken seriously.

Hurricane Ernesto caused a dozen deaths across Mexico in 2012.

As of August 14, Hurricane Ernesto had not caused any loss of life in 2024.

What Was the Path of Hurricane Ernesto?

From earliest development to final dissipation, the path of a hurricane can stretch for thousands of miles.

• In 2006, the weather system that would become Hurricane Ernesto moved off the coast of Africa on August 18. It reached tropical storm strength north of South America and then moved west and north to impact several Caribbean islands and the U.S. East Coast.

• In 2012, Hurricane Ernesto’s path was a fairly direct east to west passage across the waters north of South America and into the Caribbean before impacting Mexico. The storm’s development off the coast of Africa began on July 27, and it dissipated in southern Mexico on August 10.
• In 2024, the Ernesto system followed a fairly direct east to west path from the mid-Atlantic into the Caribbean before veering north and projected to move through the Atlantic off the U.S. east coast.

Convoy of Hope & Hurricanes

The 2023 hurricane season’s final hurricane was Category 4 Hurricane Idalia which made landfall on August 30 at Keaton Beach in Florida’s Big Bend area with wind speeds of 125 mph.

Convoy of Hope was soon on the scene.

Within two weeks, Convoy had served tens of thousands of people in the disaster zone, ensuring they received essential relief supplies like food, water, hygiene kits, and cleaning supplies.

Watch Convoy’s relief efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

Through mobile and drive-thru distribution, individuals and families received help and the knowledge that they were not alone.

When a community’s needs are long-term, Convoy may develop a recovery response a year or more after a major storm. For example, LaPlace, Louisiana, was the site of a Convoy recovery event in November 2022 for regions hit hard by 2021’s Hurricane Ida.

Convoy teams distributed groceries, hot meals, and home goods. At recovery events like these, insurance specialists and mental health professionals provide legal aid, talk people through insurance difficulties, and offer emotional care.

You can help provide immediate relief to those in need by donating today to Convoy of Hope’s Crisis Relief Fund.