Hurricane Erin’s life-threatening impacts prompt North Carolina evacuations, states of emergency

Hurricane Erin has rapidly intensified into an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane as it continues its path across the Atlantic. The storm, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has prompted officials in North Carolina to issue local states of emergency and evacuate certain areas.

The outer rainbands of Hurricane Erin have already started affecting the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, with Tropical Storm Warnings in place. Additionally, a Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the central Bahamas.

While Hurricane Erin is expected to stay to the east of the U.S., officials are warning of life-threatening surf and rip currents along the East Coast from Florida through New England. In response to the approaching storm, Dare County, North Carolina, declared a state of emergency and issued a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island and surrounding areas.

Hyde County also enacted a state of emergency for Ocracoke Island, with mandatory evacuation orders in place for visitors and residents. The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Watch in anticipation of Hurricane Erin’s impacts.

As of the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Erin has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, making it a Category 4 hurricane. The NHC anticipates some additional strengthening before a gradual weakening. The storm is expected to pass to the east of the southeastern Bahamas and move between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda.

The NHC warns of heavy rain across Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and southeastern Bahamas, with potential rainfall amounts of 2-4 inches. Swells generated by Hurricane Erin will affect various regions, causing dangerous surf and rip currents.

In the Caribbean, Hurricane Erin brought high winds and flooding rain to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Although the storm didn’t make landfall, it had significant impacts, including power outages and flooding. Ports were closed, and flights were disrupted as residents braced for the storm’s effects.

Overall, Hurricane Erin is a powerful and potentially devastating storm that requires residents along the East Coast to take precautions and stay informed about the latest updates and warnings.