Dangerous Current, Ernesto hits the storm again as “life-threatening” currents are observed around the east coast….

Ernesto hits the storm again as “life-threatening” currents are observed around the east coast.

Ernesto’s storm rip current. Ernesto’s path map (main) and stock photo of a beach warning sign for rip currents (inset). Rip current warnings have been issued along the East Coast in response to Hurricane Ernesto. ISTOCK, GETTY IMAGES PLUS, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) After momentarily weakening to a tropical storm, Hurricane Ernesto has re-intensified and is again causing dangerous currents to churn along the East Coast as it moves north. After forming as a little depression in the central Atlantic and intensifying into a hurricane before hitting Bermuda, the hurricane momentarily reverted to a tropical storm. Now, though, it’s slowly regaining strength and is a Category 1 hurricane. Even though the storm will move hundreds of miles out to sea, offshore of the U.S., its powerful winds are currently whipping up intense waves along the East Coast, and will continue to do so for several days.

“Swells from the hurricane will continue to disrupt the area into the early part of this week, even though Ernesto is predicted to stay well offshore of the U.S. East Coast. In a forecast discussion, the National Hurricane Center stated that beachgoers should be aware that there is a considerable risk of potentially fatal surf and rip currents and should avoid the sea if lifeguards advise against it. “Surf and rip currents are also possible on the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next few days.” Strong, slender currents that move quickly flow from the coast into the deeper ocean waters are known as rip currents.

Even the most skilled swimmers may be swept out to sea by rip currents into deeper water, making it more difficult to get back to land, according to a statement from the National Weather Service. “Call for assistance if you find yourself in a rip current. Keep your cool, avoid burning out, and stay afloat while you wait for assistance. When swimming out of a rip current, keep your course parallel to the shore and return as close to the beach as you can. Swimming straight against a rip current will wear you out quickly, so avoid doing so.