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Hurricane Erin dramatically shifts trajectory after lashing the Caribbean with rain and high winds

Hurricane Erin dramatically shifts trajectory after lashing the Caribbean with rain and high winds

Yahooa day ago
Hurricane Erin made a sudden shift in trajectory as Category 2 winds raced towards the U.S. East Coast.
Days after 130mph winds and torrential rainfall battered the Caribbean and left tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans without power, fears grew that Erin would slam into the U.S. as a Category 2 hurricane this week.
In an early morning advisory on Wednesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami confirmed the storm was unlikely to make U.S. landfall after veering northwest toward open waters.
Erin's winds weakened to 100mph by 5 a.m. ET, as it churned over the Atlantic Ocean about 455 miles south-south-east from the North Carolina coast.
While the East Coast has been spared the cyclone's full force, the National Hurricane Center issued a blizzard of warnings, including 'life-threatening surf and rip currents' for the U.S., Bahamas, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada throughout this week.
Storm surge-induced flooding and tropical storm conditions, including bruising winds and heavy rains, were expected to begin on Wednesday in the North Carolina Outer Banks.
Along with large swells, 4ft waves were expected to spill over sea walls, making some roads 'impassable.'
New York City closed its beaches to swimming on Wednesday and Thursday, and Governor Kathy Hochul ordered three state beaches on Long Island to prohibit swimming through Thursday.
Off Massachusetts, Nantucket Island could see waves of more than 10 feet later this week.
Tropical storm conditions could strike Virginia's southeastern coast and Bermuda on Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said.
The National Hurricane Center warned that strong winds were possible between Thursday and Saturday in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England coasts and Atlantic Canada.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island in the Outer Banks ahead of the expected flooding.
The worst conditions were expected late Wednesday through Thursday as the eye of the storm is likely to be at the closest point to the coast, carving a path between the East Coast and Bermuda.
Erin is expected to grow with tropical-storm-force winds extending 265 miles from its center before it is expected to begin weakening by Friday, the agency said.
Satellite imagery and reports from a U.S. Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicated that Erin 'is getting better organized, and slow strengthening is expected through Thursday night.'
Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, exploded to a ferocious Category 5 on Saturday before being downgraded to a Category 3 early Sunday morning, then regaining strength again later in the day.
The storm brought flooding, rainfall, high surf, and strong winds across Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the northern Leeward Islands.
Lifeguards in North Carolina made more than 75 rescues from rip currents along the Wrightsville area coastline on Monday, prompting a no-swim order through Friday, according to the Wilmington Star-News.
By Tuesday, it lashed the Turks and Caicos Islands, where government services were suspended and residents were ordered to stay home, along with parts of the Bahamas.
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Hurricane Erin tracker: Storm surge warning issued in North Carolina as Category 2 storm starts to head northeast — see the latest path
Hurricane Erin tracker: Storm surge warning issued in North Carolina as Category 2 storm starts to head northeast — see the latest path

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Hurricane Erin tracker: Storm surge warning issued in North Carolina as Category 2 storm starts to head northeast — see the latest path

Beachgoers are being urged not to swim at most East Coast beaches due to dangerous surf conditions. Hurricane Erin is moving north-northeast and will continue to head in that direction at a quicker speed over the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said. Earlier this morning, a storm surge warning was issued in North Carolina because "large and dangerous waves" could cause "surge-related flooding" along the coast for the next several hours. Erin is currently a Category 2 storm, and rip currents and high tides are expected to occur later today, with waves expected to peak between 2 and 4 feet along the Outer Banks, N.C. The rough surf conditions from Erin could affect the Bahamas, Bermuda and beaches up and down the East Coast over the next several days. "Beachgoers are cautioned against swimming at most U.S. East Coast beaches due to life-threatening surf and rip currents," the hurricane center said. Officials in North Carolina have already declared states of emergency in Dare and Hyde Counties and ordered mandatory evacuations of Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, even though the storm isn't forecast to make landfall. But tropical storm conditions and the possibility of life-threatening inundation of water from Erin are expected to make an impact on the barrier islands. North Carolina Highway 12 is the primary road that connects the islands in the Outer Banks and separates the Sound side from the Atlantic Ocean side. It's expected to be torn up and washed out in several places from the impacts of Erin, which could isolate villages for days or even weeks. Erin formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean last week, officially reaching hurricane status on Friday. It is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. Where is Hurricane Erin now, and what is its path? As of 11 a.m. ET Thursday: Erin was located 410 miles west-northwest of Bermuda and about 260 miles east of Cape Hatteras, N.C. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, making it a Category 2 hurricane. It's moving north-northeast at 18 mph. According to the NHC's latest advisory, Erin is moving north-northeast throughout today and will keep moving in that direction for the next few days. It's expected to increase in forward speed, with even more acceleration on Friday and into the weekend. The NHC forecast track shows that Erin's center will be over the western Atlantic Ocean between the East Coast and Bermuda through Friday morning, before passing through southern Atlantic Canada Friday evening and Saturday. Watches and warnings As of 11 a.m. ET Thursday, these are the advisories in place, according to the NHC: Storm surge warnings are in effect for: Cape Lookout to Duck, N.C. A tropical storm warning is in effect for: Beaufort Inlet, N.C., to Chincoteague, Va., including Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. A tropical storm watch is in effect for: Bermuda What those watches and warnings mean A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, over the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. In North Carolina, 2 to 4 feet of storm surge is possible from Cape Lookout to Duck. And up to 3 feet of storm surge is possible from South Santee River, S.C., to Cape May, N.J. Tropical storm conditions are expected in portions of the Outer Banks and Virginia coastline starting late today. On the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast, wind gusts to tropical storm force are forecast Thursday through early Friday. Additionally, Bermuda could see tropical storm conditions on Thursday and Friday. Heavy rainfall is possible on the Outer Banks this afternoon into Thursday, with the potential for 1 to 2 inches. Though Erin is not expected to make direct landfall, swells generated by the storm will affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the East Coast of the United States and Atlantic Canada during the next several days. 'These rough ocean conditions are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents,' the NHC said. What are the chances Erin will intensify? Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, ranging from Category 1 to Category 5, with 5 being the most severe. A storm is considered a major hurricane when it reaches Category 3 strength, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. Erin reached Category 4 strength on Saturday and again on Monday before weakening on Tuesday. It is currently a Category 2 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. "Some strengthening is possible during the next day or so," the NHC said. "Weakening is likely to begin by Friday, but Erin is forecast to remain a hurricane into the weekend." Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from its center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 265 miles. How is hurricane season shaping up? The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and runs through the end of November, has a 50% chance of being above normal. Earlier this month, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration slightly updated the number of expected storms to 13 to 18 (estimated at 13 to 19 in May), of which up to five could become major hurricanes (with winds of more than 111 mph). A typical hurricane season averages 14 named storms. We're currently about halfway through this year's Atlantic hurricane season, and as of Aug. 15, there have been five so far: tropical storms Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter, and now Hurricane Erin.

Hurricane forecasters say another storm could soon follow Hurricane Erin
Hurricane forecasters say another storm could soon follow Hurricane Erin

USA Today

time19 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Hurricane forecasters say another storm could soon follow Hurricane Erin

As Hurricane Erin heads out to sea, forecasters are also watching the next weather disturbance in the Atlantic, a tropical wave that could become Tropical Storm Fernand. As Hurricane Erin pulls away from the East Coast and heads out to sea, forecasters are also watching the next weather disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean, a developing tropical wave that could become Tropical Storm Fernand (pronounced fair-NAHN) in the days ahead. It's one of three developing systems the National Hurricane Center is tracking in the Atlantic on Aug. 21. According to the Aug. 21 morning report from the hurricane center, "an area of showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Islands has changed little over the past several hours." The system is marked by the red "x" on the map below. However, the NHC added that "environmental conditions appear conducive for further development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend while it moves near or to the north of the northern Leeward Islands." If the depression's winds reach 39 mph, it would be named Tropical Storm Fernand, the sixth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. Active Atlantic but no landfalls likely "Although the Atlantic will stay active into the latter half of August, for now we don't see any significant land threats from the systems being monitored," noted WPLG-TV hurricane specialist Michael Lowry in his Substack post. As for the system that's likely going to be Fernand, Lowry said "the disturbance that'll be moving near and north of the Leeward Islands of the eastern Caribbean tomorrow (Aug. 22) has a high chance of development and will likely become our next named storm but will be turning quickly out to sea. Indeed, for now, the majority of computer forecast models suggest this system will eventually curl north, then northeast into the central Atlantic Ocean next week, potentially a threat to Bermuda, depending on when it makes that northward turn, according to a forecast from It's too soon to determine what impact, if any, the system would have on the beaches along the U.S. East Coast that have been battered by Erin. But before it heads out to sea, "it will bring squally weather and increased storminess to the northeastern Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, tomorrow (Aug. 22) and Saturday (Aug. 23) but isn't expected to develop until after it pulls away this weekend," he said. Will developing storm impact Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands? The system will first impact the two U.S. territories in the Caribbean: The National Weather Service in San Juan said "across the Virgin Islands, ponding of water in roads is anticipated with isolated urban flooding. For Puerto Rico, urban and small stream flooding are likely along the interior and northwest, with ponding of water elsewhere." Another system is out there Meanwhile, far out in the Atlantic, Lowry said the disturbance designated Invest 99L (orange x on the map) will be battling high wind shear for the next few days along with some drier air over the weekend, and anything that forms will likely be short-lived. The NHC agrees, noting on the morning of Aug. 21 that "showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands show some signs of organization." "Environmental conditions appear marginally favorable for additional development over the next day or so while the system moves west-southwestward at around 15 mph, and a short-lived tropical depression could form. "In a couple of days, environmental conditions are expected to become unfavorable for further development," the hurricane center said. Third tropical system also being watched by NHC A small area of low pressure located about 1,200 miles southwest of the Azores (yellow x on the above map) is producing limited showers and thunderstorms on Aug. 21, the hurricane center said. "Upper-level winds are only marginally conducive for development while the system moves slowly eastward over the next couple of days." Quiet period ahead? Beyond these systems, "unfavorable upper-level wind conditions are expected to kick up this week over the Atlantic's Main Development Region, and the end of August and first week of September should be relatively quiet in the tropics," said Ryan Truchelut. Truchelut is the chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, and works with the USA TODAY Network.

Is Hurricane Erin Pushing Sharks Toward Shore?
Is Hurricane Erin Pushing Sharks Toward Shore?

Newsweek

time20 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Is Hurricane Erin Pushing Sharks Toward Shore?

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After multiple shark sightings over the weekend, people in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, are wondering if Hurricane Erin is causing sharks to swim closer to the shore as the massive storm skirts by the United States this week. Why It Matters As of Thursday morning, Hurricane Erin was a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 105 miles per hour. Earlier in its progression, Erin was much stronger, even reaching Category 5 strength over the weekend. Shark behavior is often a topic of conversation during hurricanes and tropical storms, as it's common for hoax photos and videos of sharks swimming in flooded streets to surface during hurricanes. Stock photo of a sign warning of a shark sighting at a beach. Stock photo of a sign warning of a shark sighting at a beach. Five Buck Photos/Getty What to Know On Tuesday, The Sun News reported that at least five shark sightings were reported near Myrtle Beach shores over the weekend. Coastal Carolina University marine biologist Erin Burge explained that although hurricanes can influence shark behavior, they are more likely to swim away from the shore. It is often the presence of fish, not storms, that brings sharks closer to shore. Shark sightings also begin to increase starting in September, as waters cool. In the interview with The Sun News, Burge said that increased shark sightings don't mean there are more sharks in the area. Instead, clearer waters caused by north and northeast winds allow beachgoers a better chance to see sharks that are already in the area. Despite the unlikelihood that Hurricane Erin is edging sharks closer to shore, National Weather Service meteorologists said people living along the East Coast, particularly North Carolina, can expect the storm's impacts to continue through the remainder of the week. The most dangerous impacts will be large waves and life-threatening rip currents, prompting meteorologists to warn people to stay out of the water until conditions improve. Wave activity likely peaked Wednesday night, NWS meteorologist Ryan Fucheck told Newsweek. "We are still going to continue to see waves around 10-plus feet, especially in the Outer Banks north of Cape Hatteras through Friday," Fucheck said. "As we get to the weekend, conditions will gradually improve." Myriad weather alerts remain in place along the East Coast as Erin continues to churn in the Atlantic, although most warnings have shifted north. What People Are Saying NWS Wilmington, North Carolina, in a coastal flood advisory for the Myrtle Beach area: "Low-lying roads and locations along the Intracoastal Waterway and adjacent tidal creeks may observe minor coastal flooding. Check with local officials for any road closures or impacts. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water." The National Hurricane Center, in a public advisory about Hurricane Erin: "Swells generated by Erin will affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the east coast of the United States, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days. These rough ocean conditions are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents. Please consult products from your local weather forecast office for more information." What Happens Next Shark sightings are bound to increase over the coming months as ocean conditions make the areas closer to shore more appealing to the marine predators. Most shark bites occur because a shark mistakes the human for a fish or the human invades the shark's space, according to a report by the Florida Museum. To decrease the likelihood of a shark attack, people are urged against swimming alone and to remain close to shore, as sharks typically prefer deeper waters.

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