Hurricane Erin Explodes Into Category 4: East Coast Braces as Evacuations Begin

 

The Atlantic Ocean is roaring again and this time, it’s deadly serious. Hurricane Erin, which briefly reached catastrophic Category 5 strength on Saturday with winds of 160 mph, has reintensified into a powerful Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds. And while it’s not expected to make a direct U.S. landfall, its sheer size guarantees devastation, dangerous surf, and mass evacuations.

Caribbean Takes First Hit

On Sunday, Erin’s outer bands pounded Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds, knocking out power to nearly 147,000 homes and businesses. Luma Energy, which manages the island’s grid, confirmed widespread outages, while more than 20 flights were canceled due to the dangerous weather.

Ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were briefly shut down before reopening later Sunday as conditions eased, but residents were left shaken. “The winds came fast and loud we’ve seen storms before, but this one feels different,” said one San Juan resident.

Evacuations Begin in the U.S.

Farther north, Dare County, North Carolina, declared a state of emergency and began evacuating Hatteras Island, a fragile stretch of the Outer Banks that juts far into the Atlantic. Officials warned that Highway 12 the only road in and out could be washed away by storm surge and high waves.

“The Outer Banks are uniquely vulnerable,” said the National Weather Service. “Even without landfall, Erin’s size means life-threatening surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding.”

A Storm That Keeps Growing

As of late Sunday, Erin was about 130 miles east-northeast of Grand Turk Island and nearly 1,000 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras. It was moving northwest at 12 mph, with hurricane-force winds stretching 60 miles from its center and tropical-storm-force winds extending 230 miles outward. Forecasters say the storm will grow even larger in the coming days.

“This is a dangerous hurricane, no matter what path it takes,” warned Richard Pasch of the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

The Climate Connection

Scientists have been quick to point out that Erin’s explosive growth fits a troubling pattern. Warmer ocean waters, fueled by global climate change, are creating the perfect breeding ground for stronger, faster-forming hurricanes.

“When the ocean is this hot, storms can intensify at speeds we didn’t see in past decades,” said one climate researcher. “Erin is a textbook case.”

What’s Next

While Erin is expected to weaken gradually after Monday, it will remain a large and dangerous hurricane through midweek. Its impacts won’t just be felt in the Caribbean or the Carolinas life-threatening surf and rip currents are forecast to slam the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and even parts of Atlantic Canada.

For millions of Americans, the message is clear: prepare now, don’t wait.

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Stay safe. Stay informed. And if you’re in coastal areas listen to officials and don’t take chances.

Also Read: We Saw Flames in the Sky: American Airlines Plane Catches Fire Mid Flight, Forces Emergency Landing

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