FIRST ALERT: Tropical Storm Ernesto expected to reach hurricane strength early Wednesday [Video]

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/AP) – Tropical Storm Ernesto dumped torrential rainfall over eastern Puerto Rico early Wednesday morning, reaching just shy of hurricane strength.

As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, the center of Tropical Storm Ernesto was located near latitude 19.5 North, longitude 66.6 West, about 85 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ernesto is moving toward the northwest near 16 mph. A turn toward the north-northwest and north with a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected Wednesday night and Thursday.

READ MORE: A strengthening Ernesto is poised to become a hurricane after brushing past Puerto Rico

On the forecast track, the center of Ernesto will pass to the north of Puerto Rico through Wednesday. Ernesto should then move over the western Atlantic later in the week and be nearing Bermuda on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 70 mph with higher gusts. Ernesto is expected to become a hurricane later Wednesday …