Residents of eastern Newfoundland warned to prepare for Hurricane Ernesto

The Canadian Hurricane Centre says Hurricane Ernesto could cause coastal flooding in parts of eastern Newfoundland on Monday.

The centre says the southwest-facing shorelines of the island’s Burin and Avalon peninsulas will be lashed by large waves and a possible storm surge.

Ernesto — now a Category 2 storm near Bermuda — is expected to track well south and east of Nova Scotia on Monday, though its outer bands may deliver some downpours to the region on Monday and Monday night.

As the storm moves north, it is expected to generate significant ocean swells that will begin slamming into Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast late Saturday, and along the south-facing coasts of Newfoundland late Sunday.

Beachgoers are being warned that these swells could cause hazardous surf and rip currents.

Despite Ernesto’s large girth, the centre says it’s unlikely that its powerful winds will reach Nova Scotia, but there is an increasing likelihood that southeastern Newfoundland won’t be so lucky.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2024.