Tornado in Belvidere, Illinois? Residents share photos and videos of storm damage
Belvidere, Illinois, is under Severe Thunderstorm Watch.(UnSplash)
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Hurricane Erin could generate 100-foot waves as Category 3 storm approaches East Coast
Hurricane Erin is currently a Category 3 storm after weakening from Category 5 intensity reached on Saturday, August 16. The storm initially achieved Category 5 status with 160 mph winds, making it one of the fastest rapidly intensifying storms in Atlantic history. Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season but the first to reach hurricane status. The hurricane set a record for the lowest minimum central pressure reading measured in an Atlantic hurricane on or before August 16 since 1979. The storm is currently impacting Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rainfall up to 8 inches expected in some areas. Also read: 100-feet high tsunami hits Alaska fjord after glacier ... Wave height predictions exceed 50 feet Jean-Raymond Bidlot, senior scientist in ocean modeling at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), told Newsweek that massive waves are possible due to the storm's severity. "The latest forecast does indeed indicate that the largest significant wave height could reach values in excess of 50 feet with an associated most likely largest wave of more than 100 feet," Bidlot told Newsweek . Live Events — NWS (@NWS) The largest waves are unlikely to reach US beaches directly but could approach the East Coast as the hurricane moves northward. Expert analysis on wave size potential "Hurricanes are known for their very powerful winds, usually confined to an area around the storm center, but as indicated, waves tend to radiate away from the storms, propagating towards coastal areas even though the brunt of the storm might still be miles away from the coast," Bidlot added. "These storm-driven waves might not be the largest but will still be significant and have the potential to create very hazardous conditions when reaching the shore leading to intense surf conditions and dangerous rip currents well before the arrival of the storm clouds and rain associated with the hurricane." AccuWeather's lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva provided a more conservative estimate regarding the 100-foot wave potential. "While 100 feet can't be ruled out, I think they would only be possible if the storm become a Category 4 or 5 storm. I think waves near the center of 50-75 feet are much more realistic (assuming a Category 3 storm)," DaSilva said. National Weather Service issues rip current warnings The National Weather Service has issued official warnings about life-threatening rip current conditions expected along the East Coast. Dangerous surf and rip currents are anticipated from Florida's Space Coast to coastal New England as Erin grows in size. Eight- to 12-foot waves are forecast along Carolina coastlines, creating hazardous beach conditions well before the hurricane's closest approach. "Stay calm and relax. Float to conserve energy. Rip currents don't pull you under. Don't swim against the current. You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach. If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. Call and wave for assistance," the NWS stated. Also read: US braces for Hurricane Erin's wrath: Flooding, landslides expected in Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico amid h Hurricane Erin storm impact timeline The hurricane's wave effects are expected to reach the Eastern US coastline between Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, with very large waves likely from the Carolinas to the Northeast. The storm's growing size as it tracks northward will drive increasingly dangerous surf conditions throughout the week. Fluctuations in Erin's intensity are expected over the next 24 to 48 hours, but the hurricane is forecast to remain a major storm through mid-week, maintaining its potential to generate significant wave action along the coast.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Hurricane Erin update: Dare County, NC declares state of emergency; Hatteras Island to be evacuated
Hurricane Erin might have weakened to a Category 3 for now, but forecasters have warned that the storm is rapidly growing in size and would regain strength. As Erin approaches, North Carolina's Dare County has issued a state of emergency for all areas and issued evacuation orders for Hatteras Island. While Hurricane Erin isn't expected to directly impact the East Coast, it could bring rip currents all along the coast if it doubles or triples in size.(AFP) While Erin isn't expected to directly impact the East Coast, it could bring rip currents all along the coast if it doubles or triples in size. Further, gusty winds and flooding tides which could wash out portions of the highway that connect North Carolina Outer Banks by midweek are likely, as per the National Weather Service. Here's what the Dare County advisory says about Erin. State of Emergency in Dare County A coastal flood watch has already been issued and coastal flooding and ocean overwash is expected to begin by Tuesday, August 19, the statement read. It is expected to continue through August 21. 'Portions of N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island will likely be impassable for several days,' authorities said. A state of emergency has also been declared for all areas of Dare County. These include the Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo municipalities. Hatteras Island evacuation There is a mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island (Zone A). This includes the unincorporated villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras as well. All visitors in Zone A have been asked to start evacuating at 10:00 am Monday night, August 18. Residents in Zone A have to start evacuation at 8:00 am on Tuesday, August 19. Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reached an exceedingly dangerous Category 5 status Saturday with maximum winds of 160 mph (260 kph) before weakening. The storm's maximum sustained winds were 125 mph (205 kph) Sunday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The winds decreased as the storm went through internal changes. Erin is expected to remain powerful for the next several days and is expected to strengthen somewhat over the next 48 hours as it grows, forecasters said Sunday afternoon. (With AP inputs)
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Erin weakens to a Category 3 hurricane, but expected to strengthen anew and grow in size
Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 hurricane on Sunday, its outer bands lashing the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as forecasters warned the storm was rapidly growing in size and would gain new strength. Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reached an exceedingly dangerous Category 5 status Saturday before weakening.(AP) While Erin's maximum winds diminished, its overall size grew and forecasters issued tropical storm warnings for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas. The hurricane's outer bands were pelting parts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rains and tropical-storm winds during the day. The storm wasn't expected to directly impact the US East Coast, but by doubling or tripling in size it could bring rip currents all along the coast. Gusty winds and flooding tides could wash out parts of the highway that connects the North Carolina Outer Banks by midweek, the National Weather Service said. Bermuda could have similar conditions as Erin is forecast to turn to the north and then northeast, forecasters said. Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reached an exceedingly dangerous Category 5 status Saturday with maximum winds of 160 mph (260 kph) before weakening. The storm's maximum sustained winds were 125 mph (205 kph) Sunday afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The winds decreased as the storm went through internal changes. Erin is expected to remain powerful for the next several days and is expected to strengthen somewhat over the next 48 hours as it grows, forecasters said Sunday afternoon. 'You're dealing with a major hurricane. The intensity is fluctuating. It's a dangerous hurricane in any event,' said Richard Pasch of the National Hurricane Center. Erin's center was about 275 miles (445 kilometers) northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 165 miles (270 kilometers) east of Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph). On the forecast track, the core of Erin was expected to pass to the east and northeast of the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas overnight and on Monday. The rain and winds from the outer bands of the storm left about 147,000 customers without power Sunday morning in Puerto Rico, according to Luma Energy, a private company that oversees the transmission and distribution of power on the island. The weather canceled more than 20 flights, officials said. Swells were also expected to affect portions of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and the Turks and Caicos Islands during the next couple of days, forecasters said. The Coast Guard allowed all ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to reopen on Sunday as winds and rains in the area decrease. A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, and in this case, within 24 hours, the hurricane center said. Heavy rain is still expected across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with rainfall of 3 to 6 inches (about 7.6 to 15 centimeters), with 8 inches (20 centimeters) in some isolated areas. Scientists have linked the rapid intensification of hurricanes in the Atlantic to climate change. Global warming is causing the atmosphere to hold more water vapor and is spiking ocean temperatures, and warmer waters give hurricanes fuel to unleash more rain and strengthen more quickly.
