A potentially severe tropical storm, Hurricane Erin (Category 4), may potentially make landfall in New York City as soon as the middle of the week.
New York City and Long Island's coastal areas are bracing for the impacts of Hurricane Erin, which is forecast to significantly affect the region from Tuesday through Friday next week.
The storm, currently a category 4 hurricane, is moving up the East Coast and is expected to pass 150-250 miles east of North Carolina's Outer Banks on Thursday. This offshore track, combined with Hurricane Erin's immense size and intensity, will contribute to hazardous coastal conditions.
Residents and visitors should prepare for possible beach closures and take precautions against hazardous surf and flooding. According to the latest forecasts, wind gusts of up to 40 mph are expected along NYC beaches and Long Island's South Shore. Wave heights along the coast could reach 12 to 20 feet, with some sources citing 15-20 feet, presenting life-threatening surf and rip currents.
Dangerous rip currents will pose major hazards to swimmers at NYC, Long Island, and Jersey Shore beaches. Minor coastal flooding is possible especially during high tides from Wednesday night through Friday morning, coupled with widespread dune erosion.
Rainfall impacts in NYC and surrounding inland areas are expected to be minimal, likely limited to a few showers in outer bands. However, the strongest effects are expected on the eastern-facing beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, while inland and northern areas around NYC like the Hudson Valley, Northern New Jersey, and Connecticut will mainly see clouds and breezy conditions.
Experts consider Hurricane Erin extremely serious, having recorded one of the strongest 24-hour pressure drops ever observed in the Atlantic before September. It's also the first major storm of the 2025 Atlantic season.
New York Parks Commissioner Mr. Rodriguez-Rosa has urged New Yorkers not to risk their lives by entering the water. All New York beaches are closed on Wednesday, August 20, and Thursday, August 21. The enormous wind field, which extends more than 230 miles from the center, will bring dangerous conditions along the entire coast.
Dangerous waves, flooding, and strong winds are expected to hit the New York region by the middle and end of the week. Despite Hurricane Erin not making direct landfall, the combination of its intensity, offshore track, and large size will contribute to these hazardous coastal conditions amplified by rising sea levels and ongoing coastal erosion vulnerabilities.
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