Hurricane Erin Continues to Churn in the Atlantic

HATTERAS, N.C. – Hurricane Erin continues to churn in the Atlantic waters hundreds of miles off the U.S., prompting officials to close beaches along the East Coast from the mid-Atlantic to the Northeast due to massive waves and potentially deadly rip currents just as families take their final vacations of the summer.

Hurricane Erin isn’t forecast to make landfall along the U.S. East Coast.

However, dangerous impacts are expected nonetheless due to outer rain bands possibly lashing North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where Tropical Storm Warnings and Storm Surge Warnings remain in effect.

This graphic shows tropical alerts in effect due to Hurricane Erin. (FOX Weather)

The Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to the North Carolina-Virginia border. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect north of the North Carolina-Virginia border to Chincoteague, Virginia.

Officials in Dare and Hyde counties declared local states of emergency and issued mandatory evacuation orders for tourists and residents in popular areas like Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island.

On Tuesday afternoon, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency to assist with the response to Hurricane Erin and to mobilize resources.

Satellite view of Hurricane Erin in the Atlantic Ocean. Imaged 18 August 2025. (Photo by Gallo Images/Orbital Horizon/Copernicus Sentinel Data 2025)

“To folks on the coast, now is the time to prepare,” he said in a post on X. “Check your emergency kits, make sure you have emergency alerts turned on, and listen to emergency guidance in case you need to evacuate.”

North Carolina Emergency Management officials opened a State Operated Shelter (SOS) in conjunction with Warren County Emergency Management for those who needed to evacuate due to Hurricane Erin.

Due to the threats of a storm surge and large waves of up to 12 feet in some spots, local officials and forecasters have been warning people to stay out of the water for safety.

A spokesperson for Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, told FOX Weather their rescue crews conducted nearly 60 water rescues on Monday and another 20 on Tuesday due to strong rip currents. The town has now told all beachgoers to stay out of the water through Friday as Erin gets even closer.

“These swells are producing powerful rip currents that can create extremely hazardous swimming conditions,” said Sam Proffitt, director of Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue. “The safety of our beachgoers is always our top priority, and we urge everyone to follow this advisory.”

Where is Hurricane Erin?

This graphic shows the latest information on Hurricane Erin. (FOX Weather)

As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Erin has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph with some higher gusts, and some slow strengthening is expected through Thursday night.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from Erin’s center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 265 miles.

Hurricane Erin is currently located about 400 miles to the south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and is moving off to the north-northwest at 13 mph.

This graphic shows the forecast track for Hurricane Erin. (FOX Weather)

The NHC said Erin is expected to begin a turn to the north on Wednesday, followed by a northeastward motion on Thursday.

On that forecast track, the center of Hurricane Erin will move over the western Atlantic between the East Coast and Bermuda through early Friday, and then pass south of Atlantic Canada on Friday and Saturday.

Get the latest updates on this story at FOXWeather.com

Conclusion

Hurricane Erin continues to pose a threat to the East Coast, even though it is not expected to make landfall. The storm’s outer rain bands and strong winds are expected to bring hazardous conditions to the Outer Banks, and officials are taking precautions to ensure public safety. With the storm surge and large waves expected to affect the coast, it is essential for people to stay informed and follow evacuation orders if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about Hurricane Erin:

Q: Where is Hurricane Erin located?

A: Hurricane Erin is currently located about 400 miles to the south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Q: Is Hurricane Erin expected to make landfall?

A: No, Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall along the U.S. East Coast.

Q: What are the hazards associated with Hurricane Erin?

A: The hazards associated with Hurricane Erin include strong winds, storm surge, and large waves, which can create hazardous swimming conditions and rip currents.

Q: What should I do to prepare for Hurricane Erin?

A: You should check your emergency kits, make sure you have emergency alerts turned on, and listen to emergency guidance in case you need to evacuate.

Q: Where can I get the latest updates on Hurricane Erin?

A: You can get the latest updates on Hurricane Erin at FOXWeather.com.