Hurricane Erin will remain well offshore this week, but its enormous size is expected to deliver impacts to much of the Northeast coastline, including dangerous rip currents, high surf, and gusty winds.
Forecasters say the storm will parallel the Eastern Seaboard through Friday before moving into the northern Atlantic over the weekend. Though no landfall is expected, the hurricane’s expanding wind field—growing from 450 miles across Wednesday morning to an estimated 640 miles by Friday—will churn up the ocean and push water toward the U.S. shoreline.
The greatest threat will be hazardous surf and rip currents, which are expected to spread from the mid-Atlantic to Long Island on Wednesday, reaching coastal New England by Thursday. Breaking waves of 5 to 15 feet are possible along beaches from the Jersey Shore to Long Island. Officials warn that rip currents can develop even on calm, sunny days, and have already required numerous rescues along the North Carolina coast.
Minor to moderate coastal flooding is also a concern. The Thursday evening high tide could cause flooding in vulnerable areas of the Jersey Shore, with additional flooding possible during high tides Friday morning and evening.
Winds will be another factor as Erin brushes past the coast. Gusts topping 40 mph are possible in seaside communities late Thursday into Friday, potentially leading to isolated power outages.
While Erin is not expected to deliver heavy rain inland, its broad circulation means the Interstate-95 corridor from New Jersey to southern New England may still feel the effects in the form of rough surf, higher tides, and breezy conditions.
Historically, rip currents and rough seas account for about one in six hurricane-related deaths, making officials especially concerned about beachgoers who may underestimate the risks. The National Weather Service is urging residents and visitors to avoid entering the Atlantic Ocean this week.
Erin is forecast to move farther out into the Atlantic by the weekend, gradually lessening its grip on the East Coast.
Source: The Weather Channel