Hurricane Erin 2025: North Carolina Evacuations, States of Emergency, and Dangerous East Coast Rip Currents
Hurricane Erin will undoubtedly go down in history as the first significant hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Over the course of the weekend, the strong storm quickly grew stronger, transforming from a Category 1 hurricane to a devastating Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph gusts in a few short hours.
Hurricane Erin Re-Intensifies into Category 4
HATTERAS, North Carolina: Hurricane Erin, a major storm, re-intensified and became a Category 4 hurricane, meaning it is extremely hazardous, as it continued to move over the Atlantic. Officials in North Carolina subsequently proclaimed local states of emergency and ordered locals and tourists to leave specific areas.
Hurricane Erin will undoubtedly go down in history as the first significant hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Over the course of the weekend, the strong storm quickly grew stronger, transforming from a Category 1 hurricane to a devastating Category 5 hurricane with 160 mph gusts in a few short hours.
Warnings in the Bahamas and East Coast
Tropical Storm Warnings are still in force for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, as Hurricane Erin’s outer rainbands have begun to affect the region.
Additionally, officials are warning of potentially fatal surf and rip currents along beaches throughout the East Coast this week, from Florida in the Southeast to the mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and New England, even though the monster storm is expected to remain east of the United States.
Evacuations Ordered in North Carolina
A state of emergency was proclaimed and a mandatory evacuation was issued for Hatteras Island, including the unincorporated settlements of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras, by officials in Dare County, North Carolina, on Sunday.
Similar circumstances arose in nearby Hyde County when the Board of Commissioners proclaimed a state of emergency for Ocracoke Island due to Hurricane Erin’s anticipated flooding consequences.
Additionally, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for visitors starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday and for residents starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Coastal Flooding and Surf Risks
Prior to the effects of Hurricane Erin, the Newport/Morehead City National Weather Service office issued a Coastal Flood Watch and a High Surf Advisory.
According to the NWS, “significant oceanside inundation” above ground level is probable in the low-lying areas near the shore and in tidal rivers, and high breaking waves of 7 to 12 feet are anticipated in the surf zone.
National Hurricane Center Updates
Hurricane Erin is a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, according to the most recent National Hurricane Center (NHC) assessment.
On Monday, some more strengthening is anticipated, according to the NHC.
“Even though some weakening is forecast beginning (Monday night), Erin will remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of the week,” the National Storm Center said.
The Enormous Size of Hurricane Erin
The system of Hurricane Erin is enormous.
Hurricane-force winds can travel up to 80 miles.
Tropical storm-force winds can travel up to 230 miles.
Hurricane Erin is expected to gradually move northward later Monday and into Tuesday, according to the NHC.
Hurricane Erin’s outer bands are expected to bring locally heavy rain to parts of Hispaniola through Monday, and to parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas through Tuesday.
Up to six inches of rain is not out of the question locally, and another two to four inches of rain is possible.
Impacts Beyond the U.S.
Over the coming days, Hurricane Erin’s waves will affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast, and Atlantic Canada. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are expected to result from such hazardous circumstances.
In regions where onshore winds are present, a storm surge may also result in modest coastal flooding in the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
As Hurricane Erin raced by to the north, residents of the Caribbean, particularly Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, had a stressful weekend.
Although the hurricane stayed well north of the islands and avoided making landfall, its effects were felt all over the region.
Weekend Impacts in the Caribbean
Robert Ray, a FOX Weather Correspondent, spent the weekend in St. Thomas, which was hit hard by strong winds and a lot of rain, causing flooding and power outages.
The British Virgin Islands’ Tortola received more than 10 inches of rain, while some areas of Puerto Rico received more than 4 inches.
A 65 mph wind gust was reported in Tortola.
Reports of tropical storm-force wind gusts were also made throughout the region.
A 51-mph wind gust was reported by Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Over the weekend, ports were shut down and flights were postponed and canceled in anticipation of Hurricane Erin’s effects.
