Hurricane Ernesto has reintensified into a Category 1 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, as it moves northeast in the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warns of ‘life-threatening surf and rip current conditions’ along the entire US East Coast, from Florida to Maine, as well as parts of Canada. These dangerous conditions are expected to persist over the next couple of days, prompting officials to close beaches and issue high-risk alerts.The storm’s impact is already being felt, with at least one death attributed to rip currents in South Carolina, and numerous rescues reported along the coast. In North Carolina, the powerful waves caused an unoccupied house on the Outer Banks to collapse into the ocean. The NHC has issued coastal flood advisories affecting millions of people along the Atlantic seaboard.Ernesto is currently centered about 520 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is expected to pass near southeastern Newfoundland late Monday into Tuesday morning. While the storm is not anticipated to make direct landfall, it could bring strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the possibility of coastal flooding to parts of Atlantic Canada.The storm has already left a trail of destruction in its wake. In Puerto Rico, over 600,000 customers lost power due to the hurricane, while in Bermuda, more than 70% of customers experienced electricity outages. Despite the widespread power loss, Bermuda’s Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, stated that the island ‘made it through Hurricane Ernesto without any injuries or major incidents’.Ernesto is the fifth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which is predicted to be one of the most active in decades. Climate scientists warn that warmer-than-normal Atlantic waters could supercharge this year’s hurricane season, potentially leading to more intense and rapidly intensifying storms. As Ernesto continues its northward trajectory, authorities urge residents and visitors in affected areas to stay informed and take necessary precautions.
Key points
- Hurricane Ernesto has restrengthened to Category 1, with winds of 75 mph, threatening the US East Coast and Atlantic Canada.
- Life-threatening surf and rip currents are affecting coastal areas from Florida to Maine, leading to beach closures and high-risk alerts.
- The storm has caused significant power outages in Puerto Rico and Bermuda, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers.
- Climate scientists warn that warmer Atlantic waters could lead to a more intense hurricane season.