Dangerous conditions at Hilton Head beaches as Hurricane Erin moves over Atlantic
Hurricane Erin continues to churn across the Atlantic Ocean, bringing dangerous conditions to Hilton Head beaches through much of the week.
Hilton Head’s lifeguards continue to fly the red warning flags to signify the hazardous water conditions. They are instructing beachgoers to only venture into ankle deep water as dangerous rip current and high surf advisories remain in effect across the East Coast.
These risks are joined by a coastal flood advisory that will take effect this evening as the high tide brings the risk of moderate coastal flooding to the area, according to the National Weather Service.
Mike Wagner, director of Shore Beach Services, said that the ocean conditions are rougher Wednesday than they were earlier this week as the storm passes closer to the South Carolina coast.
Hurricane Erin remains 450 miles off the coast of Hilton Head and is not expected to make landfall.
Erin has promoted a tropical storm warning and evacuations along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The storm is expected to generate a storm surge of up to 4 feet in some areas of the Dare County, NC coastline.
As surf conditions got rough earlier than expected on Monday, a lifeguard with Shore Beach Services did perform one rescue. While surfers are allowed into the water, Wagner said that keeping people in ankle deep water prevented incidents requiring lifeguard rescues on Tuesday.
Lifeguards leave the beach at 5 p.m., and any remaining beachgoers should bear in mind that the rip current risk will continue past that point, Wagner said.
This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 10:46 AM.
