As Hurricane Ernesto gained strength in the Atlantic Ocean, it sent powerful swells and rip currents crashing onto the US east coast, prompting warnings for swimmers and beachgoers to exercise extreme caution. The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported that Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds had increased to near 90mph, with higher gusts, making it a formidable storm that was expected to stay offshore but still pose a significant threat to coastal areas.
The storm was expected to brush past southeastern Newfoundland and potentially cause some coastal flooding in Canada, with the NHC urging people along the northeast coast to remain vigilant. In a statement, David Zelinksy, lead meteorologist with the hurricane centre, advised people to pay attention to flags and lifeguards and stay out of the water if it’s not safe. The centre also warned of a high risk for rip currents along the Atlantic coast throughout Monday evening, noting that they can be deadly and sweep even the best swimmers away from shore.
As Ernesto churned towards eastern Canada, it was already causing problems in other areas. Swells generated by the storm were affecting portions of the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the US east coast, as well as the Canadian Atlantic coast. The weather service posted a coastal flood advisory and warned of a high risk for rip currents in these areas, emphasizing that they can be life-threatening.
Hurricane Ernesto’s Fury Heads Towards Eastern Canada (Image via Getty)
In the past weekend, the storm had been responsible for at least three drownings in the US. A 41-year-old man died in a rip current at Surf City, North Carolina, while two men, aged 66 and 73, drowned off South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island. The coroner in Beaufort county, where the drownings occurred, said it could take weeks to determine whether the deaths were related to Ernesto.
Ernesto had previously brought heavy rain and strong winds to Bermuda, but no injuries were reported. The North-eastern Caribbean had also felt the storm’s impact, leaving tens of thousands of people without water in Puerto Rico. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, the Virgin Islands Department of Education announced that all public schools would resume operations on Monday, while public school classes were also slated to start in Puerto Rico, nearly a week after the original opening date.
The storm’s fury was not limited to the east coast, as a separate storm, Tropical Storm Gilma, strengthened in the eastern Pacific Ocean. However, it was forecast to remain away from land this week, avoiding any potential disruptions or damage.
