UPDATE 4: Ernesto Gains Strength, Heads Toward the Carolinas

Ernesto may not be a hurricane, but it continues to be a very persistent tropical storm. After passing over Florida with a lot of rain and wind, but minimal damage, Ernesto has gained new strength with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph/95 km/hr and higher gusts.

According to the latest (11:00 a.m. EDT) bulletin from Miami’s National Hurricane Center, Ernesto is “heading toward the Carolinas. A tropical storm warning has been extended northward to Currituck Beach light, North Carolina including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.” Storm warnings have been discontinued south of the Savannah River, but remain in effect north of the river. A hurricane watch, which means hurricane conditions are ‘possible’ within the next 12 hours, has been issued from South Santee River, South Carolina to Cape Lookout North Carolina.

The NHC further indicated that “tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles/140 kms mainly to the north and east of the center. Latest minimum pressure reported by a noaa p-3 reconnaissance plane was is 994 mb/ 29.35 inches.” Ernesto’s Center was about 225 miles/360 kms south-southwest of Wilmington and about 105 miles/170 kms south-southeast of Charleston.

Ernesto continues to move toward the north-northeast near 17 mph/28 km/hr, and is expected to approach the Carolina Coast later today. “Coastal storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) above normal tide levels is possible along the coasts of South and North Carolina in areas of onshore flow within the warning area,” said the NHC. “Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches [10.16 to 20.32 cms] are possible from South Carolina into the Mid-Atlantic States and the southern and central Appalachians with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches [30.5 cms] through Saturday.” These conditions could cause flash floods and possibly tornadoes over eastern North Carolina late this afternoon and tonight.