Hurricane Erin has weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 3 storm but remains a serious threat across the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 125 mph as the system moved northwest on Sunday. While the storm is not expected to make landfall in the United States, its size means coastal areas along the East Coast could experience strong winds, dangerous surf, and flooding in the coming days.
Hurricane Erin has weakened from a Category 5 to a Category 3 storm but remains a serious threat across the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported sustained winds of 125 mph as the system moved northwest on Sunday. While the storm is not expected to make landfall in the United States, its size means coastal areas along the East Coast could experience strong winds, dangerous surf, and flooding in the coming days.
In North Carolina, Dare County and Hyde County declared states of emergency over the weekend, ordering evacuations for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Officials warned that ocean overwash could make sections of Highway 12 impassable, with waves as high as 20 feet expected. Residents with medical needs were urged to leave while evacuation routes remain open.
Emergency management agencies continue to urge residents along the coast to prepare. This includes monitoring official forecasts, having a disaster plan, and keeping supplies such as food, water, and medications ready in case conditions worsen. While Hurricane Erin is projected to remain offshore, forecasters stressed that its growing size ensures the potential for widespread and hazardous impacts.
