Hurricane Erin has weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 3 storm but remains a serious threat across the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 125 mph as the system moved northwest on Sunday. While the storm is not expected to make landfall in the United States, its size means coastal areas along the East Coast could experience strong winds, dangerous surf, and flooding in the coming days.
Forecasters warned that Erin’s hazards extend far beyond its center, with hurricane-force winds reaching 50 miles outward and tropical-storm-force winds stretching more than 200 miles. Heavy rainfall is already affecting Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos, and parts of the Bahamas, with up to six inches expected in some areas. Officials cautioned that flash flooding and landslides remain possible in mountainous regions.
Large waves generated by Erin are spreading across the Caribbean and will reach Bermuda, Atlantic Canada, and much of the U.S. East Coast this week. Meteorologists say the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Long Island, and Cape Cod are among the areas most at risk of beach erosion, dangerous rip currents, and minor coastal flooding. Even communities far inland may see breezy conditions and unsettled weather.
In North Carolina, Dare County and Hyde County declared states of emergency over the weekend, ordering evacuations for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Officials warned that ocean overwash could make sections of Highway 12 impassable, with waves as high as 20 feet expected. Residents with medical needs were urged to leave while evacuation routes remain open.
Emergency management agencies continue to urge residents along the coast to prepare. This includes monitoring official forecasts, having a disaster plan, and keeping supplies such as food, water, and medications ready in case conditions worsen. While Hurricane Erin is projected to remain offshore, forecasters stressed that its growing size ensures the potential for widespread and hazardous impacts.