Dangerous rip currents and 20-foot waves: these are the areas of the East Coast that will be affected by Hurricane Erin

Hurricane Erin is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, and while it won’t make U.S. landfall, its power will still be felt in ways that put lives at risk.

Here are the key points you need to know right now:

• Erin remains a Category 3 hurricane with winds up to 120 mph.
• Rip currents and 20-foot waves will hit much of the East Coast this week.
• North Carolina’s Outer Banks face the highest risk, with evacuation orders issued.
• The storm surge could flood roads, buildings, and homes for several days.
• Forecasters say the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than average.

Where will Hurricane Erin hit hardest?

The storm’s broad reach means coastal impacts from Florida up to New England, but the Outer Banks are in the bullseye for immediate disruption. The National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening coastal flooding there, prompting mandatory evacuations for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Local officials expect water several feet deep on roadways, making travel impossible for days.

Elsewhere, the biggest threat isn’t wind or rain but the ocean itself. The National Weather Service expects massive waves and powerful rip currents along the entire Eastern Seaboard, from Miami to Maine, through at least the end of the week. That means swimming is a bad idea, even for the strongest of swimmers.

How dangerous will rip currents from Erin be?

Meteorologists stressed that the storm’s energy will radiate outward far beyond its core. As Mike Brennan, director of the hurricane center, said on Monday: “It’s just not going to be a very safe environment to be in the ocean.”

Forecast models show surf heights topping 20 feet in spots, with currents strong enough to sweep people away instantly. Even if skies look calm, the water can be deadly.

How many hurricanes are expected in 2025?

Erin’s power comes at a time when hurricane season is entering its peak. NOAA has already warned that up to nine hurricanes are possible this year, with two to five expected to reach major strength. Take care, folks.

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