Hurricane Erin Downgraded to Category 3, Re-Intensification Expected as Storm Nears Turks & Caicos
Hurricane Erin Downgraded to Category 3, Re-Intensification Expected as Storm Nears Turks & Caicos
Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the Atlantic season, has weakened overnight to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, according to the 8 a.m. ET update from the National Hurricane Center. This weakening is considered temporary, attributed to an eyewall replacement cycle, with re-intensification expected once the cycle completes.
As of Sunday morning, August 17, Erin is located approximately 170 miles north-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 270 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest at 14 mph. The storm’s outer bands continue to batter Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands with heavy rain and gusty winds, leading to considerable flash flood warnings and ongoing flood watches.
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with watches for the southeast Bahamas, as Erin’s outer bands are set to graze these areas. The storm is expected to slow down and begin a northward turn later today and into the early work week. While direct impacts to the U.S. Mainland are not anticipated, dangerous surf and rip currents are forecast for the Eastern U.S. coastline from Florida to New England, with waves of 8 to 12 feet possible along the Carolinas.
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