Hi Lee. As far as the rain in the Midwest goes, I'm no farmer but from what I've read its too little too late for corn and soy. Ernesto is looking pretty feeble at the moment and the models that take it into Belize or the Yucatan on Wednesday are looking like a better bet than those that swing it to the NW- but one never knows with tropical storms this far out. If it can strengthen in the next 24-36 hours it may yet go NW.