Stronger Ernesto on course for Carolinas (AP)

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Tropical Storm Ernesto's outer bands reached the South Carolina coast early Thursday as the strengthening storm threatened to sweep ashore on top of thunderstorms that have been drenching the Carolinas for over a day. For residents who have long weathered hurricanes in this vulnerable region, Ernesto's 55 mph winds were of little concern. But the tropical storm's arrival on top of a storm system stalled over North Carolina heightened fears of flooding. "We need some rain around ...