Ernesto retains strength as a hurricane over the open Atlantic WSOC TV [Video]

Ernesto picked up strength as a hurricane early Monday as it headed farther out in the Atlantic toward easternmost Canada, but the storm is expected to stay offshore, causing powerful swells, dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast, the National Hurricane Center said.

Ernesto’s maximum sustained winds increased Monday to near 80 mph (129 kph), with higher gusts, the hurricane center said. It is expected to weaken and become a post-tropical storm on Tuesday, the center said.

The storm was centered about 70 miles (113 kilometers) south of Cape Race, Newfoundland, and should move into the open Atlantic on Tuesday, the center said. Some coastal flooding in Canada was possible.

People all along the Northeast’s coast should remain careful, the center said.

“We would certainly encourage anyone going to beaches, really, anywhere along the U.S. East Coast to just pay attention to whatever flags are up, whatever …