Hurricane Erin Churns in Atlantic, Posing Significant Rip Current Threat to U.S. East Coast
National Weather Service Issues High Risk Warnings for Beaches From Florida to New England, Urges Swimmers to Heed Lifeguard Advice
While Hurricane Erin is projected to remain well offshore in the Atlantic Ocean, its immense size and power are expected to create life-threatening marine conditions along the entire U.S. Eastern Seaboard this weekend, according to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The primary threat to beachgoers will not be wind or rain, but powerful and dangerous rip currents generated by the storm’s distant energy.
How a Distant Storm Creates a Local Danger
Even hundreds of miles from a hurricane’s center, its strong winds generate massive waves that can travel vast distances. As these long-period swells—waves with more powerful energy beneath the surface—reach the shallower waters near the coast, they interact with the ocean floor and other currents. This interaction is the primary mechanism for forming rip currents: powerful, narrow channels of water flowing swiftly away from shore.
“Erin doesn’t need to make landfall to be dangerous,” said Jonathan Porter, Chief Meteorologist at AccuWeather. “The ocean energy it’s putting out is like throwing a rock in a pond; the ripples are going to reach the shore. In this case, those ripples are 6 to 10-foot waves and strong currents that can easily overpower even the strongest swimmers.”
Geographic Impact and Timeline
The impacts will be felt across a wide area, with the most severe conditions shifting northward over time:
- Southeast U.S. (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina): The first effects are being felt Friday, with conditions expected to peak in intensity on Saturday. Beaches will experience building surf and a high risk of rip currents.
- Mid-Atlantic (North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey): Dangerous conditions are forecast to develop Saturday and persist through Sunday. This region, including popular vacation spots like the Outer Banks and Ocean City, may see some of the strongest and most frequent rip currents.
- Northeast U.S. (New York, Long Island, Massachusetts, Rhode Island): The threat is expected to arrive later in the weekend, from Sunday into Monday, affecting beaches from Long Island to Cape Cod.
The National Weather Service has issued High Rip Current Risk warnings for countless beaches across these states. These warnings indicate that conditions are extremely dangerous for anyone entering the surf.
What Beachgoers Need to Know
Lifeguards and emergency management officials are urging the public to take this threat seriously.
- Heed All Warnings: Always swim at a beach protected by lifeguards and pay close attention to the flag warning system. A red flag means a high hazard, and double red flags typically mean the water is closed to the public.
- Understand Rip Currents: A rip current is a narrow, fast-moving channel of water that flows away from the shore. They do not pull you under water; they pull you out to sea. If caught in one, do not panic and do not swim against it. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim back to land.
- Never Turn Your Back on the Ocean: Larger, powerful “sneaker waves” can surge far up the beach without warning, knocking people over and pulling them into the turbulent water.
- When in Doubt, Don’t Go Out: The safest choice this weekend is to enjoy the beach from the dry sand. The ocean’s beauty can be deceptive, and its power should not be underestimated.
While Hurricane Erin’s core will stay at sea, its reach is long. Officials stress that the decision to stay out of the water could be a life-saving one.