Storm Ernesto gains strength as a hurricane over open Atlantic

Debris from an unoccupied beach house that collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean from winds and waves caused by Hurricane Ernesto (National Park Service/AP)

Storm Ernesto picked up strength as a hurricane on Monday as it headed further out in the Atlantic towards easternmost Canada.

But the storm is expected to stay offshore, causing powerful swells, dangerous surf and rip currents along the US east coast, the National Hurricane Centre said.