Eastern Hurricane 'Erin' Weakens - Potential for Flooding along the East Coast of the United States - "Hurricane 'Erin' experiences degradation - East Coast of the United States remains susceptible to flooding"
Hurricane Erin Passes Offshore, Poses Limited Flooding Threat
After a dramatic approach, Hurricane Erin has moved away from the US East Coast, no longer posing a significant flooding threat. The hurricane, which reached Category 5 strength with peak winds of 160 mph, weakened to a Category 1 as it approached offshore near North Carolina's Outer Banks.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) had previously warned of dangerous currents and waves up to six meters high, but these warnings have now been lifted for the Bahamas, the British overseas territory of Turks and Caicos Islands, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic.
As Erin passed about 200 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on August 21, it brought tropical storm conditions such as heavy rain and strong winds to the Outer Banks. Despite not making direct landfall, parts of the Outer Banks were under evacuation orders, and North Carolina declared a state of emergency due to life-threatening surf, rip currents, and flooding potential.
Flooding from heavy rain occurred locally in coastal areas of Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands earlier, but no significant flooding events are reported impacting the US East Coast now. With Erin now post-tropical and moving northeast into the North Atlantic, no further flooding threat along the US East Coast is expected, but dangerous surf conditions remain along beaches, so swimming remains unsafe.
Hurricane Erin is the first hurricane of this year's hurricane season in the northern Atlantic. Over 150,000 households were without power at one point in Puerto Rico, according to a power provider. The hurricane is expected to pass between the east coast of the USA and the Bermuda Islands mid-week and is not likely to make direct landfall.
Storm surge and strong waves could cause severe damage to beaches and coasts. The Hurricane Center of the USA (NHC) has a storm warning in effect for North Carolina. Evacuations have been ordered for the islands of Ocracoke and Hatteras off the coast of North Carolina.
Human-induced climate change contributes to the rapid intensification of storm systems, as seen with Hurricane Erin expanding from a category one to a category five within just over 24 hours. Last year, several intense storms, including Hurricane Helene, swept through the Caribbean region, resulting in more than 200 deaths in the southeastern USA. This year's hurricane season is expected to have stronger phenomena than usual.
Authorities advise caution against surf-related dangers during and immediately after the storm's closest approach. Stay updated with local news and weather reports for the latest information on Hurricane Erin.
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