Hurricane Ernesto Threatens East Coast with Dangerous Rip Currents

Hurricane Ernesto strengthened and brought dangerous swells and life-threatening rip currents to the Eastern US coast and parts of Canada. Meanwhile, separate downpours in Connecticut caused severe flooding, rescuing over a dozen people, and leaving two individuals missing. The storm is expected to weaken by Tuesday.

Hurricane Ernesto gained strength early Monday as it moved into the Atlantic toward eastern Canada, the National Hurricane Center reported. Though expected to stay offshore, the storm will bring powerful swells, dangerous surf, and rip currents to the US East Coast.

In Connecticut, a separate storm dumped up to 10 inches of rain, washing away roads, flooding basements, and necessitating multiple rescues, the National Weather Service said. Two people remain missing after being swept away by floodwaters in the town of Oxford.

Ernesto's maximum sustained winds increased to 85 mph with higher gusts overnight. The storm was centered about 340 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and is anticipated to pass near southeastern Newfoundland late Monday or early Tuesday, bringing possible coastal flooding to Canada, according to the hurricane center.

(With inputs from agencies.)