Hurricane Erin Swells to Category 4
Hurricane Erin, now a powerful Category 4 hurricane, is staying offshore but is stirring up major trouble for the US East Coast and Caribbean. After briefly reaching Category 5 status over the weekend, Erin’s winds have eased slightly, but its size and reach have expanded dramatically. The storm’s massive wind field is already sending dangerous swells and rip currents toward the coastline, prompting warnings from North Carolina to New Jersey. Officials in Dare County have issued a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island, warning, “The risk from surf and flooding will be life-threatening.”
Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and parts of the Bahamas have already been hit by outer rain bands, causing flash flooding, power outages, and storm watches. Up to 14 inches of rain are expected in some regions, with mudslides possible in higher terrain. While Erin’s core will likely stay over the Atlantic, just a 100-mile shift west could bring tropical storm conditions to areas like North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Erin’s waves, with some reaching up to 15 feet, are expected to pound coastal beaches this week, even under sunny skies.
Looking ahead, the storm is projected to curve north-northeast, possibly brushing Bermuda and parts of Atlantic Canada later this week. The hurricane’s explosive growth, with it jumping from a tropical storm to Category 5 in just over 27 hours, is being cited as one of the fastest intensification events on record. As Erin continues its path, forecasters are also tracking new tropical waves behind it, signaling a busy peak hurricane season ahead.
