Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, August 21, 2025
News Summary
Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 2 storm, is expected to strengthen as it moves northward across the Atlantic, with rip current warnings issued from Hilton Head to Myrtle Beach. Beachgoers are advised to avoid water activities due to safety concerns. While the storm is forecasted to remain offshore, it poses risks of beach erosion and economic impact along over 1,000 miles of coastline. Residents in Columbia and surrounding areas can expect warm weather despite the storm’s proximity.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 110 mph, is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane as it moves northward across the Atlantic Ocean. The storm is anticipated to remain offshore while passing the Outer Banks of North Carolina, minimizing direct impact but bringing hazardous conditions to a significant stretch of the East Coast.
As of now, the National Weather Service has issued high rip current warnings extending from Hilton Head Island through Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Beachgoers are advised to stay out of the water until at least Friday afternoon due to the dangerous conditions prompted by the storm. Red flags have been raised at all affected beaches, indicating high risk.
Tropical storm warnings are also active for parts of the Outer Banks and the New Jersey shoreline, where residents and visitors are encouraged to monitor conditions closely. Although Bermuda is under a tropical storm watch, it is expected that Erin’s most intense weather will remain to the west of the island.
Forecast models indicate that Erin’s center is likely to stay well offshore, and the storm is projected to weaken down to a Category 1 hurricane by Friday night, with wind speeds decreasing to around 90 mph as it heads toward the Canadian Maritimes.
Meanwhile, residents in Columbia and the Midlands of South Carolina are expected to experience mostly dry weather with clear skies and temperatures in the low 90s on Wednesday and Thursday. Clouds will start to build on Thursday afternoon with a chance of scattered showers and storms through Thursday night and into Friday.
The weekend is projected to bring a temperature drop into the low to mid-80s, accompanied by periods of rain. Additional disturbances are being monitored in the Atlantic, including one system near the northern Antilles with a 60% chance of development and another southwest of Cape Verde that has a 40% chance of becoming a tropical system, potentially named “Ferdinand.”
On Monday, Hurricane Erin was reported to be about 890 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum winds reaching 130 mph. It’s anticipated that Erin will maintain its status as a major hurricane through the middle of the week.
The National Weather Service emphasizes that even storms that remain offshore can generate hazardous conditions, including rip currents. Historical data show that 10-15% of fatalities during tropical storms are attributed to rip currents. Furthermore, despite the storm’s projected path staying offshore, it could still impact over 1,000 miles of coastline, leading to beach erosion and potential economic damage.
Experts warn that previous storms, such as Hurricane Bill in 2009 and Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, which remained offshore, caused casualties and extreme weather effects due to rough surf and deceptive conditions.
Key Features of Hurricane Erin
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Category | 2 (projected to strengthen to Category 3) |
| Sustained Winds | 110 mph (expected to decrease to 90 mph) |
| Location | Atlantic Ocean, 890 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras |
| Offshore Path | Will remain offshore, affecting Outer Banks and New Jersey |
| Rip Current Risk | High risk from Hilton Head Island to Myrtle Beach |
| Tropical Storm Watches | Active for Bermuda and parts of the Outer Banks |
| Predicted Impact | Potential for beach erosion, economic damage |
| Additional Disturbances | Monitoring two additional systems in the Atlantic |
FAQs
What category is Hurricane Erin currently?
Hurricane Erin is currently classified as a Category 2 hurricane, with the potential to strengthen to a Category 3.
What is the expected path of Hurricane Erin?
It is anticipated that Erin will pass offshore of the Outer Banks of North Carolina while moving northward.
What safety measures should beachgoers take?
Beachgoers from Hilton Head Island to Myrtle Beach are advised to stay out of the water due to high rip currents and should heed the red flag warnings at beaches.
What are the current weather conditions for Columbia, South Carolina?
The Midlands of South Carolina are expected to have mostly dry weather with clear skies and highs in the low 90s.
Are there any other disturbances being monitored in the Atlantic?
Yes, meteorologists are monitoring two additional disturbances, one with a 60% chance of development near the northern Antilles and another with a 40% chance southwest of Cape Verde.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WLTX: Hurricane Erin South Carolina Impacts
- Wikipedia: Hurricane Erin
- The State: Hurricane Erin Update
- Google Search: Hurricane Erin
- Columbia Missourian: Hurricane Erin Update
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Erin
- USA Today: Hurricane Erin Beach Danger
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Erin
- WLTX: Coastal Concerns from Hurricane Erin
- Google News: Hurricane Erin
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
