New York City braces for potential Category 5 Impact from Hurricane Erin
Hurricane Erin Approaches U.S. East Coast, Bringing Potential Hazards
Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 2 storm, is expected to impact the East Coast of the United States between August 19 and August 23, 2025. The areas primarily at risk include Suffolk County and Nassau County in New York, as well as the Jersey Shore.
Dangerous Conditions Ahead
As of August 19, Hurricane Erin's hurricane-force winds extend up to 105 miles from the centre, with tropical storm-force winds reaching much farther, up to 320 miles. This large storm system poses risks of power outages and wind damage along the coasts of Suffolk and Nassau counties in Long Island, as well as the Jersey Shore.
Dangerous Swells and Coastal Flooding Risk
The storm will generate heavy swells and a storm surge, particularly dangerous for low-lying coastal areas. A storm surge warning has been issued for parts of the Outer Banks, and similar life-threatening inundation risk is possible near Long Island and New Jersey shorelines.
Timeline and Forecast Track
Hurricane Erin moved rapidly northward through the Atlantic after reaching Category 5 intensity near the Caribbean mid-August. It is forecast to track between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast approximately from August 19 to August 21, then curve northeast off Atlantic Canada by late August 22–23. The timing for peak hazardous conditions in Suffolk, Nassau, and Jersey Shore areas would be late August 19 through August 22, with gradual weakening expected after that.
The storm is expected to remain offshore, steered away by a high-pressure system and pushed further out by an approaching cold front, locally sparing these counties from a direct hurricane strike but still subjecting them to indirect effects from a very large storm system.
Preparations and Monitoring
Residents in the affected areas should prepare for hazardous marine and coastal conditions—dangerous surf, high winds, and possible flooding—from Hurricane Erin between August 19 and 23. Monitoring updates remains critical as the storm's path may shift.
The National Hurricane Center predicts Hurricane Erin's track to stay offshore, but dangerous rip currents, high surf, waves up to 12 feet, flooding, beach erosion, and wind gusts between 20-40 mph are expected in coastal areas.
This year marks the seventh time the name Erin has been used since the late 1980s. None of the previous storms named Erin have caused enough damage to be retired from the hurricane name rotation. Names are only retired when a storm causes catastrophic destruction, like Ida and Sandy. The hurricane name roster rotates every six years and some names are reused.
Residents are advised to stay informed and follow any instructions from local authorities as the situation develops.
News of Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 2 storm, has attracted attention due to its potential impacts on the East Coast of the United States between August 19 and August 23, 2025. In environmental-science terms, this hurricane poses risks of power outages, wind damage, coastal flooding, and dangerous swells, as predicted by the science community. The areas primarily at risk include Suffolk County and Nassau County in New York, as well as the Jersey Shore, where residents are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare for potential hazards associated with Hurricane Erin.
