When forecasters said last week that Tropical Storm Ernesto was headed to the island, Michael Pitts’s eyes lit up.

The 57-year-old Florida resident almost immediately booked the next available flight to the island, as he plans to witness a hurricane in Bermuda for the second consecutive year.

It’s something that may become a hurricane-chasing pastime for the former army paratrooper.

Last September, when Hurricane Lee neared, he travelled to the island to experience it.

The hurricane swept past as a Category 1 storm, knocking out power and closing businesses and schools, although major damage was avoided.

Mr Pitts said his flight was booked for today in anticipation of Ernesto, which became a hurricane yesterday.

He returned to Florida last week from Europe with his son and the pair landed amid bad weather brought on by Tropical Storm Debby.

Mr Pitts said: “I flew into that hurricane, which we had here in Florida, and then I saw that this storm Ernesto was brewing and that it is going to go up to Bermuda.”

He explained that this year his trip will be “multi-purpose” as he plans to help his cousin, friends and residents in whatever way he can, if the storm leaves any damage.

Mr Pitts added: “It looks like it’s going to be a Category 1 or even a Category 2, so I am Bermudian at heart; if I can help people, I’ll go.”

He will assist around the house as he stays with a cousin and said: “One of the things that makes Bermuda so special is the people, very friendly and welcoming, so I’m just trying to do my part.”

Hurricane Ernesto is considered a threat to the island and the storm is projected to make impact this week.

It is expected to approach Bermuda as a Category 2 hurricane early on Saturday morning.

Should the storm pass close to Bermuda, Mr Pitts said he will take all the necessary precautions and when it’s safe to do so, he will venture around parts of the island.

He said: “I’ll probably start at John Smith’s Bay and then I’ll move over to Warwick Long Bay because that’s my favourite beach anyway.”

He added: “I’ll just get on my scooter and go on down to the beach.

“Of course, I won’t be going into the water, but I won’t mind riding my scooter in the rain to see what’s happening.”

He said he will be walking with his drone to take before and after images of the beach at Southlands.

“It’s not a have-fun trip, it’s more to see the storm and help people,” he said.

Mr Pitts said he is a fan of storms and attributed the trait to his late father.

He explained: “Well, my father was Bermudian, and growing up in Florida, I always remember him opening up the sliding glass doors to watch the storms.”

Mr Pitts added: “I think that’s why maybe I do it as well.”

He said: “It’s an experience, because Mother Nature is pretty incredible, especially the oceans.”

Mr Pitts has been visiting the island since he was a child and, being from West Central Florida, is no stranger to seasonal storm systems.

“They are almost as common there as they are in Bermuda,” he said after his visit last September.

When Hurricane Lee pushed winds across Warwick Long Bay last year, Mr Pitts was on the beach reporting on the conditions to his friends and family.

While most of his time there went incident-free, he had a close call when he ventured out to retrieve a yellow float that fell during the windy conditions.

He could not say how far he was from the water, but told The Royal Gazette later that he felt safe enough to walk over to it.

As soon as he reached the float, however, the water washed in.

“I thought, that is enough of that,” Mr Pitts said then. “That water comes in fast. I just pray no one goes in the water.”

This year, he said, he will be observing the weather, while avoiding the water.