Brace for large waves and fierce surf
👋 Howdy! Rebecca Morin here. It's a gray, dreary day in Washington, DC. But it's not stopping me from bringing you Tuesday's news!
But first: Imagine beating the odds – twice. 🤑 A Virginia woman won $1 million in a scratch off, but it's not the first time she's won big.
A rough slog up the East Coast
Hurricane Erin, now a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, is not expected to make landfall on the mainland United States. But the storm is forecast to bring large waves and rough surf along the East Coast, from central Florida to Canada. Erin is expected to pass east of the Bahamas on Tuesday, before moving over the Western Atlantic between the U.S. coast and Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday. Its strength could still fluctuate before it begins to weaken later in the week, according to the National Hurricane Center. 👉 See the storm's forecasted path.
Several evacuations: Evacuations were underway along parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks. Erin's predicted storm surge and waves of more than 10 feet prompted the National Weather Service to urge people to stay out of the ocean. Deadly surf conditions are expected through at least Thursday. 👉 Where there could be storm surge.
Talks toward peace
Another face-to-face summit is in the works. After President Donald Trump's high-stakes meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders, Trump said in a social media post that he called Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin arranging face-to-face talks between Russia's leader and Zelenskyy at a location to be determined. Trump said after a proposed meeting between the two leaders, he would join them for a discussion aimed at pushing the warring sides closer together. 👉 Experts say it's unclear whether the meeting will happen.
Overnight attacks: Russia attacked the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk with drones overnight, a day after Trump's meeting with Zelenskyy and European leaders. The city's mayor, Vitalii Maletskyi, said the strike was a sign that Putin does not want peace. 👉 What to know about the attack.
Real quick
Aubrey Plaza opens up
It's been seven months since the death of Aubrey Plaza's husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. And the grief, the actress said, is like the 2025 action-horror film "The Gorge.' Plaza on Tuesday appeared on her former "Parks and Recreation" co-star and friend Amy Poehler's "Good Hang" podcast to promote her latest film, "Honey Don't!" which opens in theaters Friday. During the interview, Poehler noted that many people have wanted to hear how Plaza is doing after a "terrible, tragic year.' Plaza compared her grief to the film, saying, "it's like at all times there's a giant ocean of just awfulness" that you either dive into or try and get away from. 👉 See what Plaza said about her late husband.
A zombie bunny?
No, we're not in "Pet Sematary." Rabbits with growths that resemble horns or tentacles have been spotted around Colorado, drawing comparisons to zombies and Frankenstein's monster. But wildlife officials say there's little cause for concern. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said the growths are caused by a virus specific to bunnies called cottontail rabbit papillomavirus. Still, Van Hoose warned that, "as with any wildlife, pets should not interact or come in contact with the rabbits." 🐰 See what the rabbits look like.
A break from the news
Rebecca Morin is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@usatoday.com.
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Hurricane Erin Waves Toss Around Popular Ferryboat: 'Doesn't Look Fun'
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. A video shared on social media shows the popular Block Island Ferry bobbing up and down as it battles vicious waves from Hurricane Erin on Wednesday night. Newsweek reached out to Block Island Ferry by email for comment. Why It Matters As of Thursday morning, Hurricane Erin was a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained wind speeds of 100 mph. After skirting the East Coast, the storm is beginning to turn further out into the Atlantic Ocean. However, it still generated impressive and dangerous waves along the Eastern Seaboard on Wednesday night, and a Rhode Island ferry was caught in the tumultuous seas. What to Know The Block Island Ferry had a rough go of it as it battled unsettled seas when coming into Block Island on Wednesday evening. "From@NBC10 viewer Judy on Block Island," NBC 10 chief meteorologist Mark Searles posted on X, formerly Twitter, with the video. "This is the Wednesday evening ferry coming into the Island. Doesn't look fun!" From @NBC10 viewer Judy on Block Island. This is the Wednesday evening ferry coming into the Island. Doesn't look fun! #HurricaneErin — Mark Searles (@MSearlesWeather) August 20, 2025 On Thursday, Block Island Ferry issued a service alert that said all traditional and high-speed ferry services were canceled due to "adverse sea conditions." The Block Island Ferry approaches a Rhode Island harbor on a bright day with a calm sea. The Block Island Ferry approaches a Rhode Island harbor on a bright day with a calm sea. Ray Geiger/Getty The ferry has several Wednesday evening trips, including one that leaves Point Judith, Rhode Island, at 4:45 p.m., 6 p.m, and 7 p.m. The ferry "offers year-round and seasonal ferry services from Narragansett or Newport, RI" to Block Island, which is around 9 miles south of Rhode Island's mainland and known for its summer destination activities. The ferry typically offers several voyages per day, with average round-trip tickets for adults costing around $20. Numerous ocean-related weather warnings were in place for Rhode Island's coast on Thursday, including a gale warning, a high surf advisory, and a small craft advisory. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warned of dangerous seas in the alerts. "Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions," the small craft advisory for Narragansett Bay said. What People Are Saying One social media user posted on X in response to the video: "I've been on that ferry many times. Oh my that looks a little … stomach turning." Another said: "I enjoy rough seas. Looks like fun to me." Another said, including vomit emojis: "I would be green" An NWS gale warning for Block Island cautioned: "Strong winds will cause hazardous seas which could capsize or damage vessels and reduce visibility." What Happens Next The Block Island Ferry won't be operating on Thursday due to hazardous seas. Some of its ferry trips also have been canceled for Friday.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Hurricane Erin flooding, rip current threat to peak Thursday night
NEW YORK — The coastal flooding threat from Hurricane Erin will peak with Thursday night's high tide, and dangers from the storm will continue into Friday, meteorologists said. Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the closure of all New York state beaches through Thursday night, but the National Weather Service warned of rip currents throughout the region until 8 p.m. Friday. 'The threat for beach flooding, beach erosion and escarpment and areas of dune erosion will increase with successive high tides through tonight,' NWS forecasters warned Thursday. 'This high surf will be combined with elevated water levels as we approach a new moon.' Waves are expected to peak at 12-16 feet high on Long Island on Thursday night, with high tide times varying up and down the island. Coastal communities in southern Queens and Brooklyn could experience flooding. Hurricane Erin is expected to move further out to sea on Friday, and the storm is not predicted to make landfall. The storm is still making impacts along the East Coast because of its massive size, measuring nearly 600 miles in diameter,which is twice as big as an average hurricane. Even as Erin has made its way north, the storm has continued kicking up rip currents up and down the coast. The National Weather Service warned of dangerous ocean conditions from Maine to South Florida on Thursday. Rip currents are expected to remain a threat to the tri-state area through Friday, even if beaches finally reopen. By Saturday, conditions are expected to be back to normal.
The Hill
an hour ago
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Hurricane Erin brings strong winds, flooding to parts of East Coast as it slowly moves out to sea
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