Article first published: Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, 4 a.m. ET

Article last updated: Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, 10 a.m. ET

System type: Hurricane, Category 2

System name: Erin

As per the National Hurricane Center’s 10 a.m. Tuesday update, the Category 3 hurricane named Erin developed into a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 mph. Erin was previously forecasted as a Category 3 hurricane but has since gained strength. Category 2 Hurricane Erin is in the Atlantic Ocean, 650 miles southwest of Bermuda and 690 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras North Carolina. With maximum sustained winds of 105 mph, the hurricane is moving to the northwest at 9 mph.

Forecasters announced a storm surge warning and a tropical storm warning for the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Yesterday (Monday)

The Category 4 hurricane named Erin developed into a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 105 mph. It was previously forecasted as a Category 4 hurricane but has since gained strength. A tropical storm watch and a storm surge watch have been issued by forecasters for the North Carolina Outer Banks.

Changes with this advisory

A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for the North Carolina Outer Banks from Cape Lookout to Duck.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the North Carolina Outer Banks from Beaufort Inlet to Duck. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued north of Duck to Cape Charles Light Virginia.

Watches and warnings currently in effect

• Storm Surge Warning for Cape Lookout to Duck, North Carolina

• Tropical Storm Warning for:

• Turks and Caicos Islands

• Southeast Bahamas

• Beaufort Inlet to Duck, North Carolina

• Tropical Storm Watch for:

• Central Bahamas

• North of Duck, North Carolina to Cape Charles Light, Virginia

Meaning of the different watches and warnings

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within the next 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. 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. For a depiction of areas at risk, please see the National Weather Service Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions.

Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.

Interests in the northwestern Bahamas, Bermuda, and the U.S Mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast should monitor the progress of Erin.

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall. Outer bands of Erin will produce localized areas of heavy rainfall across portions of the Turks and Caicos today and through tonight for the Bahamas. Additional rainfall of 1 to 3 inches, with storm total amounts to 8 inches, are possible, which could lead to flash and urban flooding. Heavy rainfall is possible on the Outer Banks of North Carolina Wednesday night into Thursday with potential for 1 to 2 inches and a local maximum of 4 inches.

For a complete forecast of rainfall and flash flooding associated with Erin, please see the National Weather Service Storm Total Rainfall Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?rainqpf

Wind. Tropical storm conditions are expected for a few more hours across the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas. Tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the central Bahamas today. Tropical storm conditions are expected over portions of the North Carolina Outer Banks beginning late Wednesday or Wednesday night. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area north of Duck, North Carolina to Cape Charles Light beginning Thursday.

Surf. 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.

A depiction of rip current risk for the United States can be found at: hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?ripCurrents

Storm surge. The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Cape Lookout to Duck, North Carolina…2 to 4 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast where the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

For a complete depiction of areas at risk of storm surge inundation, please see the National Weather Service Peak Storm Surge Graphic, available at hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?peakSurge.

Source: National Hurricane Center