Hurricane Erin at Category 5 on August 16 as it passes to the north of the Turks and Caicos. The outer bands of the storm obscure some of the islands in this NOAA satellite image.

Storm Surge, Rain, and Dangerous Surf Conditions with Rip Currents

Hurricane Erin is the fifth named storm and first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Erin began life as a tropical wave west of the Cape Verde islands. Near the Lessor Antilles, it strengthed to a hurricane on August 15, then rapidly intesified to a category 5 hurricane with 160 MPH sustained winds on August 16. It then weakened to Category 3 while growing in size during an eyewall replacement cycle. Following this, it gained strength to category 4 before encountering wind shear and weakening to category 2. It is currently a Category 3 Hurricane and should maintain this strength until sometime late Thursday or early Friday.

National Hurricane Forecasters do not expect Erin to strengthen further as it turns north and then northeast along the East Coast.

The current National Hurricane Center forecast calls for Erin to stay well east of the United States and west of Bermuda. However, the size and strength of the storm will bring impacts to the entire East Coast and Bermuda.

The NHC forecast track for Hurricane Erin between the East Coast and Bermuda as a category 2 hurricane. Note the Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings in yellow and blue for the Carolina's and Virginia. A legend below details the graphic.

Watches and Warnings

  • Tropical Storm Watch in effect from Beifort South Carolina to Grandy North Caroline
  • Tropical Storm Watch in effect for Bermuda
  • Tropical Storm Warning in effect from Grandy North Carolina to Kiptokeke Virgina.
  • Up to a 3 foot storm surge from the Santee River in South Carolina to Cape Lookout North Carolina.
  • Up to 4 foot storm surge from Cape Lookout

Watches and Warnings updated August 20, 2025 to include Bermuda.

Hurricane Erin NHC Key Messages

  • Erin will bring life threatening surf conditions and rip currents to the beaches of the East Coast, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Atlantic Canada for the next few days. Beach goers should heed advice from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags.
  • Expect Storm Surge up to 4 feet along the North Carolina outer banks beginning Wednesday or Wednesday night. Large waves will accompany the surge resulting in significant beach erosion. Waves washing over roads will them impassable.
  • For the Bahamas, heavy rainfall will continue today for the Turks and Caicos, and through tonight for the Bahamas. 
  • The U.S. Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England coasts should expect strong winds on Thursday and Friday.