Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, has prompted urgent preparations along North Carolina’s Outer Banks as it churns through the Atlantic, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents to the U.S. East Coast, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada. As of late Monday, August 18, 2025, Erin had weakened to a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 125 mph, down from its peak as a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds on August 16. Despite fluctuations in intensity, forecasters warn that Erin remains a dangerous storm, expected to cause significant coastal impacts.
Erin’s Path and Impact
Currently located 690 miles southwest of Bermuda and 780 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, Erin is moving northwest at 8 mph. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecasts that the storm will pass east of the southeastern and central Bahamas, moving between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast by midweek. While Erin is not expected to make direct landfall in the United States, its massive size—spanning a wind field 397 miles in diameter—poses significant risks. The storm is generating seas of 10 feet or more across a 500-mile area, creating hazardous conditions far from its center.
The Outer Banks, particularly Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, face mandatory evacuation orders due to the threat of 2 to 4 feet of storm surge, coastal flooding, and tropical storm-force winds of 40 to 60 mph expected from late Wednesday through Thursday. Waves of 10 to 15 feet could cause widespread inundation of coastal roads, such as North Carolina Highway 12, potentially submerging vehicles and damaging structures. NHC Director Michael Brennan emphasized the danger, stating, “This is going to be a very significant event… ocean water is going to extend well inland in some places and cause significant threats to life and property.”
Dangerous Surf and Rip Currents
Erin’s large size is amplifying dangerous surf and rip current conditions along the U.S. East Coast, from Florida to Maine. In Jacksonville, Florida, ocean breakers exceeding seven feet are expected starting Tuesday, with potential for minor coastal flooding and moderate beach erosion. A buoy 400 miles east-northeast of Nassau recorded waves over 18 feet on Monday, while another south of Cape Hatteras reported waves exceeding six feet. The NHC has warned of “life-threatening” rip currents, with at least 60 people rescued from heavy surf in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, on August 18, leading to a “no swimming” advisory through Friday.
Impact on the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks, a popular tourist destination, are experiencing significant disruptions. Mandatory evacuations began at 8 a.m. Tuesday for Hatteras Island, with Ocracoke Island also under orders to evacuate. Jeff Dawson, owner of Fatty’s Treats & Tours on Hatteras Island, noted a sharp decline in business, with the typically bustling tourist season grinding to a halt. “We’ve had one table so far,” he said on Monday, planning to close his restaurant early and assist neighbors with storm preparations. Despite the calm weather on Monday, with blue skies and mild temperatures, residents like Angela Tawes of Conners Supermarket anticipate chaos as storm signs become more apparent on Tuesday.
Not all residents are evacuating. Dawson, a long-time resident, plans to stay in his Buxton home, prepared to weather the storm as he has done since 1982. However, visitors like Nicholas Himebaugh, who traveled from Pennsylvania, faced challenging conditions even before the evacuation orders. Strong rip currents and sandblasting winds forced him and his girlfriend to cut their beach trip short, joining a steady stream of evacuees on packed ferries and congested roads.
Broader Regional Impacts
Beyond the U.S., Erin has already impacted the Caribbean, flooding Puerto Rico and other islands with heavy rains over the weekend. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the Bahamas, with up to 8 inches of rain possible, raising concerns about flash and urban flooding. The storm’s effects are expected to persist, with dangerous surf conditions forecast for the Bahamas and Bermuda through midweek.
Climate Change Connection
Climate Central notes that Erin’s rapid intensification to Category 5 strength was fueled by unusually warm ocean waters, made up to 100 times more likely by human-caused climate change. This warming trend is increasing hurricane wind speeds and intensifying storms, posing greater risks to coastal communities.
Staying Safe
As Erin approaches, authorities urge residents and visitors to heed evacuation orders and avoid the ocean due to life-threatening rip currents. The NHC and local weather services continue to monitor the storm, emphasizing the need for preparedness as Erin’s impacts unfold over the coming days.