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Hurricane Ernesto Threatens To Bring Dangerous Rip Currents To NYC Shores This Weekend

As of Friday morning, Hurricane Ernesto was en route to Bermuda, delivering maximum winds of 100 mph. The National Hurricane Center warns island residents to prepare for heavy rain and strong winds to arise this afternoon.

The storm strengthened to a category 2 on Thursday, devastating hundreds of thousands in Puerto Rico, leaving many with no water or power.

What’s the path of Hurricane Ernesto?

Hurricane Ernesto is estimated to pass over Bermuda on Saturday. This could bring considerable rain and winds beginning Friday afternoon.

Will Hurricane Ernesto impact NYC?

After reaching Bermuda, the National Hurricane Center predicts an increased risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents across beaches along the U.S. East coast.

Not sure what rip currents are? They are “powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water,” explains the NOAA, and can even move faster than Olympic swimmers. Rip currents are the cause of around 100 U.S. deaths per year. If ever caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore and try to reach land at an angle.

New York, NY, USA - August 30, 2016: Beach in Coney Island: People enjoy beach: Coney Island is a peninsular residential neighborhood, beach, and leisure/entertainment.
Shutterstock / Osugi

Should New Yorkers avoid waters this weekend?

New York swimmers are being advised to not go into water this weekend by the National Weather Service. Waves are expected to reach 4 feet high, posing as a danger to all level swimmers.


Why so many hurricanes this season?

Including Ernesto, there have already been five named storms in the Atlantic this year. According to the NOAA, record warm ocean temperatures are believed to be causing an abnormally high amount of hurricanes this season with 17-20 named storms and 4-7 major hurricanes forecasted.

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