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Hurricane Erin intensified back to a Category 4 storm Sunday night, prompting a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island in North Carolina. Though the storm is not expected to make landfall, its expanding size and powerful winds pose serious threats to the Outer Banks, where officials declared a state of emergency. The National Weather Service warned that high surf, flooding tides, and gusty winds could render parts of Highway 12 impassable for days. What to Know: Erin’s center is forecast to stay at least 200 miles offshore

Hatteras Island evacuation begins Monday in Dare County

Highway 12 may be washed out by surf and flooding tides

Rip currents and waves over 20 feet expected along East Coast

Erin’s winds reached 130 mph early Monday, with further strengthening possible

Tropical storm warnings issued for Turks and Caicos, Bahamas as thousands remain without power in Puerto Rico Stay with Newsweek as Hurricane Erin continues to evolve.

09:43 AM EDT How hurricanes form: A quick breakdown Hurricanes originate over warm tropical waters, typically when ocean temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions fuel clusters of thunderstorms that can begin to rotate, forming what’s known as a tropical wave or depression. As the system strengthens and sustained winds hit 39 mph, it earns a name and is classified as a tropical storm. If wind speeds climb to 74 mph, the storm escalates to hurricane status—marking the start of potentially destructive weather.

09:27 AM EDT Hurricane Erin strengthens as dangerous surf warning issued An NHC graphic shows Hurricane Erin’s expected path. An NHC graphic shows Hurricane Erin’s expected path. National Hurricane Center Hurricane Erin was expected to move between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda this week, after the system returned to Category 4 strength on Sunday. Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and the first hurricane, as well as the first major hurricane. The NHC has warned that the system, a Category 4 hurricane at the time of writing, could bring “life-threatening” surf and rip currents across the U.S.’ Eastern Seaboard this week. On Monday morning, the NHC said Erin was located just east of the southeast Bahamas, and was moving toward the northwest near 13 miles per hour, with a “gradual” turn north expected later in the day. “On the forecast track, the core of Erin is expected to pass to the east of the southeastern Bahamas today and move between Bermuda and the east coast of the United States by the middle of the week,” the agency said. Read the full story by Joe Edwards on Newsweek.

09:14 AM EDT Tropical wave in Atlantic could develop into depression this week While Hurricane Erin churns offshore, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a separate tropical wave over the eastern Atlantic that could become the season’s next named storm. Forecasters said Monday that the system is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, but environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development. A tropical depression could form later this week as the wave moves west-northwest toward the Leeward Islands. The system has a 50% chance of formation over the next seven days, according to the latest advisory.