Though unexpected to make landfall, Hurricane Erin will bring strong rip currents and ‘life-threatening’ surf to the area. (Courtesy NWS)

WILMINGTON — Being dubbed as one of the most rapidly intensifying storms, Hurricane Erin went from a Category 1 on Friday and within 24 hours to Cat 5 on Saturday, before decreasing to its current Cat 4 status. Though landfall isn’t expected along the Carolina coast, her aftereffects will still be felt.

The National Weather Service anticipates Hurricane Erin will bring life-threatening surf and rip currents throughout the East Coast, expected to start Tuesday and last all week.

The hurricane is skirting by the Caribbean Monday as rain bands and storm surge are affecting Turks and Caicos and Bahamas, both under a Tropical Storm warning. Nearly 150,000 people are without power in Puerto Rico, due to the storm’s high winds.

The first hurricane in the Atlantic for the 2025 season, as of Monday morning Erin was 105 miles north-northeast of Grand Turk Island, with 130 miles per-hour maximum sustained winds; it’s moving 13 mph. The path is projected to turn northeast and remain out to sea, running parallel to the Carolina coastline by Wednesday and Thursday.

As such, the Outer Banks is under a state of emergency and Ocracoke Island issued a mandatory evacuation. Coastal flooding could “render Highway 12 impassable,” according to Dare County officials. They anticipate dangerous waves of 20 feet or more, which could wipe out dunes protecting the area.

Locally in the Cape Fear, NWS of Wilmington expects breaking waves of 6 feet or up to 10 feet north of the Cape Fear. Dangerous swimming conditions and some potential beach erosion are expected. There could also be flooding along the lower Cape Fear River and in low-lying areas and beach towns, particularly during high tides.

Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our morning newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.