Ernesto Strengthens in Atlantic; Rescues in Connecticut

Hurricane Ernesto intensified early Monday, with maximum sustained winds reaching 85 mph as it moved further into the Atlantic towards eastern Canada. The National Hurricane Center reported that while the storm is expected to remain offshore, it will generate powerful swells, dangerous surf, and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast. Ernesto was located approximately 340 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is projected to pass near southeastern Newfoundland late Monday into Tuesday. A warning has been issued from Florida to the Boston area, including parts of Maine. In Connecticut, severe weather from slow-moving storms resulted in significant flooding over the weekend, with reports of downpours causing dangerous conditions. Firefighters conducted multiple rescues, including saving individuals trapped in a flooded restaurant in Beacon Falls. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors as flash flood warnings were issued for parts of Connecticut and southeastern New York, with additional advisories in Delaware, New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania. As Ernesto continues to impact the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center cautioned beachgoers along the U.S. East Coast to heed safety warnings regarding high surf and rip currents. Meteorologist David Zelinsky emphasized the importance of following lifeguard instructions and staying out of the water during hazardous conditions. Tragically, a 41-year-old man drowned in a rip current in North Carolina over the weekend, with investigations ongoing to determine if recent fatalities were linked to the storm. Meanwhile, public schools in Puerto Rico were set to resume classes on Monday, nearly a week after the original start date was postponed due to weather conditions. Flooding in Connecticut, which resulted in road washouts and at least one death, was attributed to a separate storm system and not related to Hurricane Ernesto.