The US East Coast is bracing for Hurricane Erin, which has rapidly intensified to a Category 4 hurricane, presenting a severe risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents. The hurricane's rainbands are already impacting the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, where a tropical storm warning has been issued. Although the storm is not expected to strike those islands directly, significant rainfall accumulations of up to six inches (15.2 cm) could ensue.
Erin, marking the onset of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, first developed as a Category 5 storm on Saturday before losing some strength and now regaining its intensity. In Puerto Rico, more than 150,000 residents experienced power outages as high winds wreaked havoc on electricity lines. However, emergency repairs by energy provider Luma have restored power to 95% of customers by Sunday evening.
The situation in the Bahamas is being closely monitored by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), which reported that the hurricane's peripheral rain bands have started affecting the islands. Aarone Sargent, the director of the Bahamas’ Disaster Risk Management Authority, advised residents to familiarize themselves with local shelters due to the unpredictable nature of hurricane paths. "These storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement," Sargent emphasized.
Forecasters predict Erin will navigate east of the southeastern Bahamas and move towards Bermuda and the eastern United States by mid-week while remaining a "large and dangerous hurricane." North Carolina's Outer Banks are already under threat, prompting authorities to enforce a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island in anticipation of heavy winds and turbulent surf. Furthermore, dangerous rip currents are expected to impact beaches along the entire East Coast of the United States as Hurricane Erin continues its advance.
Erin, marking the onset of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, first developed as a Category 5 storm on Saturday before losing some strength and now regaining its intensity. In Puerto Rico, more than 150,000 residents experienced power outages as high winds wreaked havoc on electricity lines. However, emergency repairs by energy provider Luma have restored power to 95% of customers by Sunday evening.
The situation in the Bahamas is being closely monitored by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), which reported that the hurricane's peripheral rain bands have started affecting the islands. Aarone Sargent, the director of the Bahamas’ Disaster Risk Management Authority, advised residents to familiarize themselves with local shelters due to the unpredictable nature of hurricane paths. "These storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement," Sargent emphasized.
Forecasters predict Erin will navigate east of the southeastern Bahamas and move towards Bermuda and the eastern United States by mid-week while remaining a "large and dangerous hurricane." North Carolina's Outer Banks are already under threat, prompting authorities to enforce a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island in anticipation of heavy winds and turbulent surf. Furthermore, dangerous rip currents are expected to impact beaches along the entire East Coast of the United States as Hurricane Erin continues its advance.
