Hurricane Erin has weakened to a Category 3 storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h), a decrease from its peak intensity as a Category 5 hurricane on August 16. As of August 17, the storm was located approximately 330 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest. Forecasters anticipate a northward turn, potentially guiding the storm east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas.
The outer bands of Hurricane Erin have brought significant rainfall and tropical-storm-force winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. These conditions have resulted in widespread power outages, affecting over 159,000 customers in Puerto Rico, according to LUMA Energy. Flight schedules were also disrupted, with more than 20 flights canceled. Local officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands have warned residents about the potential for mudslides and landslides due to the persistent heavy rainfall. In a separate event, the precursor disturbance to Hurricane Erin caused severe flooding in Cabo Verde on August 11. This incident resulted in at least nine fatalities and displaced approximately 1,500 residents. The government of Cape Verde declared a state of emergency for the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão, where torrential rains on August 11 led to catastrophic damage, including destroyed homes, bridges, and roads. São Vicente received 193 millimeters of rain in five hours on August 11, significantly exceeding its annual average of 116 millimeters.
Looking ahead, Hurricane Erin is expected to remain a powerful system, with forecasters anticipating a potential re-strengthening to Category 4 strength early in the week. While a direct landfall on the U.S. East Coast is not projected, the storm's expanding size means dangerous rip currents and rough surf are anticipated along coastal areas, including the Carolinas, through the week. Bermuda and Atlantic Canada may also experience impacts as the storm shifts its trajectory northward and northeastward.