Ernesto made Landfall...following in Gaston's shoes?

Ernesto made landfall last night at the Monroe/Miami-Dade line, near Flamingo, Florida. It should exit around Oak Hill, in Volusia County, sometime around Midnight tonight. It should then hit the North Carolina/South Carolina border around tomorrow afternoon, w/winds around 60 MPH (high Tropical Storm force). However, at least 1 model is predicting a CAT 2 Hurricane, because Ernesto will be going right over the Gulf Stream. Don't be surprised if it becomes a Depression today though...actually don't be surprised if it does anything at all because this storm has defied all predictions (strengthening when conditions unfavorable, not strengthening during favorable conditions, the erratic path, etc.).

Unfortunately, it then might stall out & cause flooding in places like Richmond, which experienced Hurricane Gaston's wrath in 2004 (and also Isabel in 2003). However, the state is very dry, so the rain won't be all bad as long as it's not flooding rain.

There are a few other waves in the Atlantic, but no eminent Florence's or Gordon's right now.

WATCHES & WARNINGS:
Tropical Storm Warning (conditions up to 73 MPH by 5 AM Thursday): all coastal Georgia counties; counties in Florida from SW to the GA/FL line;
Hurricane Watch (conditions could be +74 MPH by 9 PM Thursday): all coastal SC counties; Brunswick County, NC;
There is also a Flash Flood Watch for most of southern & southeastern Virginia (including a few northern North Carolina Counties).

UPDATE: The tropical storm warning has been extended from Cape Fear to Cape Lookout, including Wilmington, North Carolina & Camp Lejeune. The "storm" is still a depression, but will start to strengthen shortly when it reaches the Atlantic. It's currently 55 miles SW of Cape Canaveral.

Also, only 26 hours until football season!!!! I can't wait!