Ernesto strengthens into Category 1 hurricane. Will Beaufort County get residual effects?

Sarah Haselhorst
·2 min read

Despite Hurricane Ernesto’s current track that’s far from the Lowcountry, the system will bring residual effects to area beaches, according to the National Weather Service’s Charleston Office.

Michael Stroz, NWS Charleston meteorologist, said Ernesto’s hurricane-force winds will create “decent” swell at Beaufort County beaches, which will increase the risk for rip currents and the potential for shoreline erosion.

Beaufort County won’t get rain related to the storm system, Stroz said Wednesday morning, but Ernesto will generate larger and longer waves. While the conditions are ideal for surfers, Stroz said that for the average beachgoers, high surf is a particular concern because it can increase the threat of rip currents.

Rip currents are forceful currents of water flowing away from shore at surf beaches and typically extend from near the shoreline, through the surf zone and past the line of breaking waves, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. When under certain conditions, the currents reach dangerous speeds and pose a threat to swimmers if they’re pulled offshore and unable to keep themselves afloat.

Rip currents are blamed for about eight deaths a year in North and South Carolina. Places where rip currents are occurring may look like like calm patches of water between areas of rougher surf.
Rip currents are blamed for about eight deaths a year in North and South Carolina. Places where rip currents are occurring may look like like calm patches of water between areas of rougher surf.

Stroz said beginning Friday and through the weekend, beachgoers in Beaufort County should watch out for possible high surf and rip current advisories.

On Wednesday morning, Ernesto strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and was about 175 miles from San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. public advisory. The storm system was packing sustained winds at 75 mph and was moving at about 16 mph northwest.

A turn toward the north-northwest and north is expected later Wednesday, the center said, with a generally northward motion at a slower forward speed continuing through Saturday. Ernesto’s center will continue to move away from Puerto Rico on Wednesday, move across the western Atlantic during the next few days and reach Bermuda on Friday and Saturday, the center’s advisory said.

NHC forecasters said they expect further strengthening of the storm system.