A slew of warnings have been issued for eastern coastal areas on Wednesday, as Hurricane Erin continued its path across the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Why It Matters
Erin is the fifth named storm and first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) have warned that the system could bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the U.S. East Coast.
Meteorologists at the NHC are also tracking two Atlantic disturbances with a chance of cyclone formation.
What To Know
In a 5 a.m. ET update on Wednesday, the NHC said a tropical storm warning had been issued north of Duck, North Carolina, to the North Carolina/Virginia border.
A storm surge warning was in effect for Cape Lookout to Duck, it said.
“A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations,” the NHC explained.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of the likelihood of inundation reaching 3 feet or more above normally dry ground on the oceanside, especially in low-lying areas near the water.
8/20/25 6 AM Erin Update
— NWS Newport/Morehead (@NWSMoreheadCity) August 20, 2025
It said NC-12 and secondary roads along the Outer Banks—particularly on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands—could become impassable or inaccessible through late in the week due to significant wave run-up.
The NHC cautioned that the storm surge would bring large waves, which could cause extensive beach erosion and overwash.
A tropical storm warning was also in effect for Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to the Virginia border, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, the NHC said.
Additionally, a tropical storm watch was in place for north of the North Carolina/Virginia border to Chincoteague, Virginia, as well as for the island of Bermuda, according to the agency.
The NHC cautioned beachgoers against swimming “at most U.S. East Coast beaches due to life-threatening surf and rip currents.”
In a Wednesday morning update, the NWS forecast office for Newport/Morehead City, North Carolina, warned that coastal impacts had already begun on the Outer Banks and that these were expected to worsen through the day, peaking Wednesday night through Thursday.
According to the NHC, Erin’s center was expected to move over the western Atlantic between the U.S. and Bermuda on Wednesday through early Friday, and pass south of Atlantic Canada Friday and Saturday.
What People Are Saying
The National Hurricane Center said in a post on X, Wednesday: “There is a high risk of rip currents from today and on Thursday for most U.S. East Coast beaches from South Florida to Massachusetts due to Hurricane #Erin.
“Beachgoers are urged to follow information from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags. The best advice? Stay out of the water!”
The NHC also said on X, Wednesday: “Weather conditions are expected to worsen along the coast of North Carolina by this evening. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at most beaches along the U.S. East Coast due to dangerous surf and rip currents.”
ABC chief meteorologist Ginger Zee said on X, Tuesday: “Hurricane #Erin is a great reminder that you don’t have to have a landfalling storm to have widespread impacts along the coast. High surf combined with high tide means coastal flooding and erosion as a real concern for beaches all along the east coast, not just the Outer Banks!”
What Happens Next
Regular updates are issued by the NHC on its website and social media channels.
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