Hurricane Erin is moving slowly toward the eastern United States, generating powerful waves and rip currents that have already triggered dozens of beach rescues.
Rip current advisories are in place from Florida to New England, with forecasters warning that the heaviest surf will arrive over the next two days. On Monday, at least 60 swimmers were pulled from dangerous waters at Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington, North Carolina.
Officials across the region are taking precautions. New York City has closed its beaches to swimming through Thursday, while Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered three state beaches on Long Island to restrict access. Several New Jersey beaches will also prohibit swimming. “Enjoy the shore, enjoy this beautiful weather, but stay out of the water,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged residents.
The National Hurricane Center said Erin remains a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph). Its tropical-storm-force winds extend 230 miles (370 km) from the center, making it an unusually large system. The hurricane was located about 495 miles (795 km) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as of Tuesday.
Erin has already battered parts of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, where authorities suspended services and ordered residents to remain indoors. The storm is expected to track toward Bermuda before pushing closer to the U.S. coast.
On North Carolina’s Outer Banks, mandatory evacuations have been ordered on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. More than 1,800 people have already departed Ocracoke by ferry, and forecasters warn of storm surges capable of sending 15-foot (4.6-meter) waves across roads.
In New Jersey, meteorologists say Erin could bring rough surf, gusts up to 30 mph, minor flooding, and life-threatening rip currents in the days ahead.
