Hurricane Erin, the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, is currently impacting the U.S. East Coast, bringing significant wind and coastal flooding to Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. As of August 21, 2025, the storm was located approximately 215 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with sustained winds of 110 mph. Coastal communities from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, to Ocean City, Maryland, are experiencing substantial flooding due to intensifying surf conditions that are expected to peak ahead of high tide.
The National Weather Service has issued Coastal Flood Warnings and Tropical Storm Warnings for the affected regions. Beaches along the entire East Coast, including all New York City public beaches, have been closed due to hazardous surf and dangerous rip currents. Forecasters predict Hurricane Erin will bring powerful waves, potentially reaching up to 20 feet high, along with life-threatening surf and rip currents. These conditions have led to widespread beach closures and swimming bans across North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York.
In North Carolina's Outer Banks, over 2,000 people were evacuated from Ocracoke Island due to the storm's impact. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island has been closed because of storm surge and overwash, rendering it impassable. Cape May County, New Jersey, anticipates a peak surge of 1 to 3 feet in the Delaware Bay, with a high risk of rip currents and dangerously high surf expected through Friday. Authorities are advising residents in flood-prone areas to take immediate precautions, such as moving vehicles to higher ground and securing outdoor furniture.
Meteorologists note that Hurricane Erin experienced rapid intensification, growing from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in just 24 hours on August 16. This extreme strengthening was attributed to unusually warm ocean waters, a phenomenon increasingly linked to climate change. The storm's large size means its impacts extend well beyond its center, affecting a vast stretch of the coastline from Florida to New England. Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed through official channels and heed all warnings from local emergency management officials.