Hurricane Erin brings rip currents, high surf to Hilton Head beaches in coming days
After a brief foray of rapid intensification into a Category 5 storm, Hurricane Erin has now developed into a larger, Category 4 hurricane. It will remain offshore but still bring significant impacts as it nods to South Carolina’s beaches in the coming days.
Meteorologists expect high surf conditions, dangerous rip currents and overwash in some areas at high tide across the coast. These conditions are expected to start Monday night and continue through Thursday.
Today, meteorologists with the National Hurricane Center expect Erin to pass to the east of the Bahamas and continue turning to the northwest up along the East Coast of the United States. Erin will be
Erin will bring an enhanced rip current risk to the South Carolina coast for most of the week, according to the National Weather Service Charleston Office. Monday has a moderate risk of rip currents, meaning that life threatening rip currents are possible. Tuesday brings a high rip current risk, meaning life-threatening rip currents are likely in the area, with a surf height of 5 to 7 feet. The high surf height will continue through at least Thursday.
Higher swells are also expected to bring higher tidal levels starting Tuesday, leaving the door open for minor coastal flooding during high tide.
North Carolina’s outer banks will see the worst of Erin’s impact, and Dare County has issued mandatory evacuation orders for Hatteras Island as experts expect roads and beaches to be washed out by waves as high as 20 feet.
A strong start to the peak of hurricane season
Over the weekend, Erin strengthened 85 mph over the course of a 24 hour period, an intensification only exceeded by three other Atlantic basin hurricanes, according to hurricane expert Michael Lowry’s newsletter. As Erin has dropped to a Category 4, it grew into a much larger hurricane as it continues its path through the Atlantic. With sustained winds already reaching 140 mph, the National Hurricane center expects Erin to strengthen further throughout the day.
Another potential storm?
The National Hurricane Center is also keeping its eye on a westward-moving topical wave that’s moving across the tropics. At the moment, the system is producing showers and thunderstorms, though it’s very possible that the tropical wave will form into a tropical depression later this week. As of Monday afternoon, the system has a 50 percent chance of cyclone formation over the next week.
This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 1:44 PM.
