'Don’t go into the water': Warnings issued on East Coast as Hurricane Erin moves in Atlantic

Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 2 storm Tuesday as it continued to move north off the U.S. East Coast, but it still prompted an evacuation order for part of North Carolina's Outer Banks and warnings about dangerous rip currents and swells.

The storm had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph at 11 p.m., but it was becoming "better organized," the National Hurricane Center said. Hurricane-force winds extended 80 miles from its center.

The storm was forecast to move east of the Bahamas Tuesday night — where there had been a tropical storm watch that has since been canceled — and then move north in between Bermuda and the East Coast Wednesday and Thursday.

"Public safety is the top priority," Bermuda's government said, warning of rough seas and tropical-storm force winds.

Dangerous rip currents were already occurring on some East Coast beaches Tuesday, and swells created by Erin will create life-threatening surf, the hurricane center said.

In Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, a no-swimming advisory is in effect until Friday, officials said.

Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue had about 70 rip current rescues on Monday, NBC affiliate WECT of Wilmington reported.

"These swells are producing powerful rip currents that can create extremely hazardous swimming conditions," Ocean Rescue Director Sam Proffitt said in a statement. "The safety of our beachgoers is always our top priority, and we urge everyone to follow this advisory."

Other coastal towns, including Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Wildwood, New Jersey, issued similar advisories.

"We are hyper, hyper concerned, first and foremost about complacency, particularly when the weather is really good Thursday afternoon through Sunday, in terms of people sort of thinking about going in the water because these rip currents are brutal," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. "Please, don’t go into the water."

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed officials Tuesday to suspend swimming at beaches on Long Island because of the swells and other ocean hazards, which are expected even if the local weather is sunny. New York City beaches were also closed to swimming or wading Wednesday and Thursday.

In Dare County, North Carolina, a mandatory evacuation order was in effect for Hatteras Island residents. The sheriff's office said life-threatening storm surge and waves up to 20 feet are expected in the area.

"I know many who live on the island feel they can ride out a storm, but Hurricane Erin is different," county Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson said in a statement on Facebook. "Please, do not take the risk. Evacuate now, while it is still safe to do so."

Hurricane Erin dropped to a Category 2 storm Tuesday morning, but some re-strengthening could occur as the storm moves over warm ocean water, the National Hurricane Center said in a forecast discussion.

The storm is forecast to bring heavy rain of 1 to 2 inches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the hurricane center said.

Storm surges reaching up to 4 feet were possible from Cape Lookout to Duck Island, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety said.

Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency to allow the mobilization of state resources.

"To folks on the coast, now is the time to prepare," Stein said Tuesday on X.

CORRECTION (Aug. 19, 2025, 11:51 p.m. ET) An earlier version of this article misstated the forecast track of Hurricane Erin. It was forecast to travel north between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast, not the Bahamas.