Hurricane Ernesto intensifies and threatens with storm surges on the east coast of the U.S.

Ernesto has gained strength as a hurricane in the Atlantic, intensifying as it moves toward the coasts of Canada. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the storm has maximum sustained winds of nearly 150 kilometers per hour (90 miles per hour), making it a significant threat, although its trajectory is expected to keep the storm offshore. This could result in high surf and rip currents along the east coast of the United States. The location of Ernesto's vortex is about 515 kilometers (320 miles) south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The hurricane is expected to pass near the southeastern tip of Newfoundland in the late hours of Monday and early Tuesday morning. Although weakening of the storm and its transition to a post-tropical storm are anticipated, the NHC has warned of the possibility of coastal flooding in Canadian territory. David Zelinsky, the NHC's chief meteorologist, has urged residents and visitors along the northeastern coast of the United States to stay alert. "We encourage everyone going to the beaches to pay attention to the flags and instructions from lifeguards, and to stay away from the water if it is not safe," he stated on Monday, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. The swells generated by Ernesto are currently affecting several regions, including the Bahamas, Bermuda, and the Canadian Atlantic coast. In these areas, rip currents and wave action are expected to pose a considerable risk, even for the most experienced swimmers. Warnings about this phenomenon are in effect from Florida to Boston and parts of Maine, highlighting the extent of the storm's impact. Meanwhile, heavy rains and slow-moving storms have wreaked havoc in Connecticut and Suffolk County, New York. In the city of Oxford, Connecticut, two people were swept away by flooding, and authorities have been working tirelessly to locate them. The rapid rise in water has tested local rescue resources. In a heroic act, firefighters from Beacon Falls managed to rescue more than a dozen people from a flooded restaurant, where the water reached alarming levels, threatening the structure of the building. These types of incidents have underscored the urgency of emergency response and the need for residents to follow authorities' recommendations. Flash flood warnings have been issued for parts of Connecticut and southeastern New York, as well as for areas of Delaware, New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania. Although the threat of flooding is expected to diminish in the coming days, meteorologists continue to monitor the situation closely. Despite temporarily weakening to a tropical storm, Ernesto's effects continued to be felt in Bermuda, where it caused heavy rain and strong winds without reporting serious injuries. The island's safety authorities reported that the impact was manageable, allowing communities to begin recovering quickly. In Puerto Rico, Ernesto left tens of thousands of people without access to water, but after service was restored, public schools on the island resumed operations on Monday, nearly a week after the scheduled date. This reflects the post-storm recovery efforts underway in the region. As Hurricane Ernesto continues its course, meteorological and emergency authorities are on constant alert, ensuring that necessary measures are taken to protect the population and minimize damage. The situation remains dynamic, and the community is expected to stay vigilant for any changes in the hurricane's trajectory or intensity.