Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 storm on Sunday, though its outer bands continued to lash Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rain and tropical-storm-force winds.
Forecasters said Erin’s maximum winds decreased, but the storm grew in size. Tropical storm warnings were issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a watch in effect for the southeast Bahamas.
While the hurricane is not expected to directly strike the US East Coast, its expansion could trigger rip currents along the shoreline. The National Weather Service warned gusty winds and flooding tides may wash out sections of the highway linking the North Carolina Outer Banks by midweek. Bermuda could also see similar conditions as Erin turns north and then northeast.
Erin became the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, reaching Category 5 status on Saturday with maximum winds of 160 mph before losing strength. The National Hurricane Center reported sustained winds of 125 mph late Sunday morning.
“You’re dealing with a major hurricane. The intensity is fluctuating. It’s a dangerous hurricane in any event,” said Richard Pasch of the National Hurricane Center.
PUERTO RICO FACES POWER OUTAGES AND FLIGHT CANCELLATONS
Erin’s center was located about 235 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 200 miles east of Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest at 13 mph.
The storm’s outer bands left about 147,000 customers in Puerto Rico without power, according to Luma Energy. More than 20 flights were canceled Sunday due to weather conditions.
Swells are expected to impact the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos in the coming days. Heavy rainfall between 3 to 6 inches, with up to 8 inches in some areas, is forecast.
The Coast Guard reopened all ports in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands Sunday as winds and rains subsided. Meanwhile, the Bahamian government issued a tropical storm watch for the Southeast Bahamas.
Scientists have linked rapid hurricane intensification in the Atlantic to climate change, noting that warmer ocean waters are fuelling stronger storms and heavier rainfall.
– Ends
With inputs from Associated Press