Ernesto has strengthened into a hurricane as it moves further into the Atlantic towards eastern Canada, although it is anticipated to remain offshore, creating strong swells, hazardous surf conditions, and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, as per the National Hurricane Center’s latest report. The hurricane’s maximum sustained winds have risen to around 80 mph (129 kph) with higher gusts on Monday, with expectations of weakening into a post-tropical storm by Tuesday.
The hurricane is currently positioned about 70 miles (113 kilometers) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and is predicted to progress into the open Atlantic by Tuesday, potentially causing some coastal flooding in Canada. The National Hurricane Center emphasized the importance of caution for individuals along the Northeast coast.
David Zelinsky, the lead meteorologist at the hurricane center, advised people planning to visit beaches along the U.S. East Coast to be attentive to warning flags and lifeguards’ instructions, urging individuals to refrain from entering unsafe waters. Ernesto’s swells were affecting regions of Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast, and the Canadian Atlantic coast, resulting in life-threatening surf and rip current conditions that are expected to improve over the next day or so, as per the hurricane center.
Authorities issued a coastal flood advisory and cautioned against the high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic coast until Monday evening, stretching from Florida to the Boston area and parts of Maine. Tragically, a 41-year-old man lost his life on Saturday in a rip current at Surf City, North Carolina, with additional fatalities reported off South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island on Friday.
Ernesto had weakened to a tropical storm after impacting Bermuda over the weekend with heavy rain and strong winds, causing no reported injuries. Prior to Bermuda, Ernesto had caused water shortages for tens of thousands in Puerto Rico. The storm also led to significant disruptions in the northeastern Caribbean but educational institutions in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were set to resume classes after necessary clean-up operations.
Recent flooding in Connecticut after receiving up to 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rainfall on Sunday was unrelated to Ernesto according to weather officials. Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Gilma strengthened but is projected to stay clear of land throughout the week.