Another Hurricane Predicted to Cause Severe Damage Despite Being 200 Miles Off the East Coast

Observed since last Friday, this system shows signs it could grow as it drifts closer to inhabited areas.

With a 60% likelihood of becoming a tropical depression by next week as it nears the Lesser Antilles and Caribbean Sea, forecasters are on high alert.

This follows the orderly and practical method meteorologists use to name storms, aiding clear communication with the public and emergency services.

This tracking helps everyone keep an eye on its progress and potential threat.

By early next week, as it draws near the Leeward Islands, the conditions are likely to become more favorable for development, according to the National Hurricane Center’s recent update.

Forecasters are closely monitoring its path and development, remaining cautious about making any early predictions.

DaSilva said, “There is a likelihood if this tropical feature survives to the zone near and just north of the Caribbean next week, it will go on to become a tropical storm, and from there, it could be drawn in close enough to the East Coast of the U.S. to be a direct concern.”

Fortunately, it traveled away from Bermuda, heading further into the Atlantic Ocean. However, this movement still sent powerful winds toward the East Coast. While the hurricane may not directly hit the U.S., the strong gusts are causing problems.

Winds of this speed barely constitute a Category 1 storm. The hurricane center predicted the storm would strengthen and become a tropical storm. The storm was centered about 520 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The storm was then expected to pass south-eastern Newfoundland.

The rip currents caused by Storm Ernesto are already associated with at least one death. Many rescues have also taken place on the coast. These swells affected parts of the Bahamas and Bermuda, the East Coast and the Canadian Atlantic coast.

At a press conference, Bermuda’s security minister, Michael Weeks, said the island made it through the hurricane without any injuries or major incidents. “I want to express my gratitude to everyone for taking this storm seriously,” Weeks said.

Keeping an eye on the latest updates is more than just good advice—it’s essential for navigating the storms on the horizon.

The warning spread from Florida to the Boston area and parts of Maine. The advisory said rip currents “can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.” Meteorologist, Mike Lee, said that during storms like these, rip currents become more likely and more frequent. These currents are a threat to all swimmers, not just beginners.

“It’s going to be really dangerous out in the water today,” Lee said. Officials in North Carolina urged residents to avoid beaches in parts of the village of Rodanthe. The storm caused damage to several beachfront structures and debris cleanup has been taking place over the following days.

Forecasters predict as many as 24 named storms, signaling a busy period ahead for storm trackers and coastal residents alike.

The likelihood of an above-normal season is now at 90%, despite a slight reduction in the total number of expected storms.

A 41-year-old man drowned on Saturday in a rip current at Surf City, North Carolina. Another two men drowned on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. However, it was unclear whether their deaths were a direct result of Storm Ernesto.

Lifeguards rescued the victim but they had already sustained knee and back injuries. The victim was taken to a hospital. Lifeguards also rescued at least five other people from the ocean after being swept away.

The strong gusts caused an unoccupied beach house along the Cape Hatteras seashore in North Carolina to collapse into the water. Officials have warned the public to steer clear of beaches.

Residents in storm-prone zones should not delay in updating their emergency plans and supplies.

Unrelated heavy rains have caused flooding in western Connecticut. The floods have caused roads to close, and water rescuers have had to attend to a minor mudslide.

Local news station WTNH reported that one had been found dead earlier this week while the other remained missing. Scott Pelletier, Oxford’s fire chief, said officials could not reach the area in time because of high waters and the need to respond to other emergencies. Videos on social media show the flooding taking over the town, including a small building being washed downstream.

Effective preparation and vigilant monitoring are key defenses against the potential dangers of a highly active hurricane season.

Storm Ernesto is now barreling toward the United Kingdom and Ireland. However, Americans should still be vigilant. Rip currents can occur in the States because of distant storms. In the U.S., more than a dozen high surf and rip current deaths over the last five years have been caused by hurricanes that were well off the East Coast, according to meteorologist Jonathan Belles. Americans should remain vigilant until Storm Ernesto subsides.