Hurricane Erin remains a Category 4 storm, forecast to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents across the U.S. East Coast this week.
Erin is about 110 miles north-northeast of Grand Turk Island, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph moving northwest at 10 mph, as of Monday morning.
Erin is forecast to pass east of the southeastern Bahamas on Monday and move between Bermuda and the east Coast of the U.S. by the middle of the week.
Additional strengthening is expected on Monday as Hurricane Erin is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. advisory.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the central Bahamas.
Erin is forecast to produce heavy rainfall across parts of Hispaniola on Monday and in the Turks and Caicos and portions of the southeast and Central Bahamas through Tuesday. Two to four inches, with locally higher amounts of 6 inches, are forecast.
All public services on the Turks and Caicos Islands are suspended on Monday as Erin draws near, and locals are urged to stay home, secure their property, and have emergency supplies ready.
A national systematic shutdown is issued for Grant Turk, South Caicos, and Salt Cay through 10 p.m. Sheltering in place is strongly advised for persons in Providenciales, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos.
Erin will also generate swells that will impact the Bahamas, Bermuda, the eastern seaboard of the U.S., and Atlantic Canada over the next several days, which will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.
While the East Coast will not sustain any direct impacts, the Outer Banks does have a 10-20% chance of having isolated wind gusts to tropical-storm force winds.
A state of emergency and a mandatory evacuation order is in place for Ocracoke Island, in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
Officials warned that while Erin will remain off the coast, the storm will create coastal flooding that could “render Highway 12 impassable” for days, hindering emergency response operations.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for visitors Sunday evening and for residents starting Tuesday morning.
A coastal flood watch was issued for Ocracoke, and coastal flooding and ocean overwash are expected to begin Tuesday through Thursday.
“Dangerous waves, 20+ feet, will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures along the highway. Portions of Highway 12 on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands will likely be impassable for several days. Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions are expected,” the Hyde County Board of Commissioners said Sunday.
Erin, the first hurricane of this year’s Atlantic season, formed on Friday and pummeled the Caribbean as a Category 3 hurricane over the weekend.
It knocked out power to about 147,000 customers in Puerto Rico, according to Luma Energy. As of early Monday morning, 96.3% of customers have electricity service again, the island’s power company said.
Erin also upended what was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime for a Boy Scout Troop from Plymouth, Wisconsin. The group is now left stuck on the Virgin Islands, according to NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee.
Troop 851 left Plymouth on Aug. 10 for St. Thomas with 10 scouts and leaders for a week trip of sailing, snorkeling, and teamwork. But on Aug. 14, their sailing trip was cut short due to the storm warning. When they reached the airport, they couldn’t board a flight home. An online fundraiser has been set up to support the troop’s housing and extra meals as they await the next safe flight out.
