Ernesto gained strength as a hurricane early Monday morning as it headed farther out into the Atlantic toward far eastern Canada, but the storm is expected to remain offshore, bringing strong waves, dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds increased Monday to near 80 mph (129 kph), with higher gusts, the hurricane center said. The storm is expected to weaken to a post-tropical storm Tuesday, the center added.
The center said the storm was centered about 70 miles (113 kilometers) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and was expected to move into the open Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday. Some coastal flooding is possible in Canada.
People along the northeast coast should remain cautious, the center said.
In an interview with The Associated Press, National Hurricane Center chief meteorologist David Zelinsky said Ernesto is bringing high waves and life-threatening winds to the U.S. East Coast.
“We certainly encourage anyone going to the beaches, anywhere along the East Coast of the United States, to pay attention to any flags that are up, anything that lifeguards are saying, and to stay out of the water if it’s not safe,” David Zelinsky, the hurricane center’s chief meteorologist, said Monday.
The strong waves generated by Ernesto affected parts of Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast, as well as the Canadian Atlantic Coast. The hurricane center said the life-threatening waves and ocean currents were likely to subside over the next day or so.
The Meteorological Authority has issued a coastal flood warning and warned of high risks. for flowing currents along the Atlantic coast through Monday evening, saying they “can send even the best swimmers offshore and into deeper water.”
The warning extended from Florida to the Boston area and parts of Maine.
A 41-year-old man drowned Saturday in a strong current in Surf City, North Carolina, meteorologists said, citing local emergency management.
Two men drowned off Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on Friday, where rip current warnings were in effect. The men were identified as Ralph Jamison, 66, of South Euclid, Ohio, and Leonard Shines, 73, of Loveland, Ohio. Beaufort County Coroner David Ott said it could be weeks before autopsies can determine whether the deaths are linked to Ernesto.
Bermuda’s Security Minister Michael Weeks said Sunday afternoon that Ernesto initially weakened to a tropical storm late Saturday after bringing heavy rains and strong winds to Bermuda, but no injuries were reported.
Ernesto has already hit the northeastern Caribbean.killing tens of thousands of people No water in Puerto Rico.
After clearing and removing debris, the Virgin Islands Department of Education announced that all public schools would resume operations on Monday. Public schools were also scheduled to begin classes on Monday in Puerto Rico, nearly a week after the original opening date.
Floods in Connecticut The storm that dumped up to 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) of rain Sunday was not related to Ernesto, weather officials said. The rain washed out roads, flooded basements, led to rescues and at least one death.
In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Gilma The storm has strengthened but is expected to remain far from land this week.
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