Hurricane Erin reduced its fury late Monday and returned to Category 3 potency, but was still expected to bring potentially deadly waves and rip currents to the East Coast midweek.
Erin was 780 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and a northwest path clocked at 8 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's late-night update Monday.
Those wind speeds fell from Category 4 status earlier in the day, settling the cyclone back down to Category 3 en route to its eventual dissipation as it moves north over cooler, open-ocean waters.
In the meantime, however, the hurricane center warned that the storm could continue to fluctuate in force and will likely remain a Category 3 hurricane, if not stronger, through midweek.
The category is defined by 111 to 129 mph sustained winds and is the gateway to "major" storm status that also includes categories 4 and 5, the latter reserved for the most potent cyclones.
"Fluctuations in strength are expected during the next couple of days," the hurricane center said in the last regular Erin advisory for Monday. "However, Erin is likely to remain a dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week."
Calling the storm "unusually large," forecasters with the center said in an earlier advisory that Erin is expected to pass by parts of the Bahamas on Monday night through Tuesday before turning north and spinning between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda.
The center issued storm surge and tropical storm watches for a large section of North Carolina's coast. The Outer Banks could begin getting storm conditions Wednesday, the center said.
The storm is expected to churn out hurricane-force winds that extend 80 miles, according to the hurricane center.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas, and a tropical storm watch is in effect for the central Bahamas.
Erin was forecast to produce heavy rainfall across parts of Hispaniola on Monday and in the Turks and Caicos and parts of the southeast and Central Bahamas through Tuesday. Two to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts of 6 inches, are forecast.
All public services on the Turks and Caicos Islands were suspended Monday as Erin drew near, and locals were urged to stay home, secure their property and have emergency supplies ready.
A national systematic shutdown was issued for Grant Turk, South Caicos, and Salt Cay through 10 p.m. Sheltering was place is strongly advised for persons in Providenciales, North Caicos, and Middle Caicos.
A state of emergency and a mandatory evacuation order was in place for Ocracoke Island, in North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Officials warned that while Erin will remain off the coast, the storm will create coastal flooding that could "render Highway 12 impassable" for days, hindering emergency response operations.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for visitors Sunday evening and for residents starting Tuesday morning.
A coastal flood watch was issued for Ocracoke, and coastal flooding and ocean overwash are expected to begin Tuesday through Thursday.
"Dangerous waves, 20+ feet, will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures along the highway. Parts of Highway 12 on Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands will likely be impassable for several days. Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions are expected," the Hyde County Board of Commissioners said Sunday.
A North Carolina Department of Transportation video showed vehicles lining up to drive onto an Ocracoke ferry that was destined for the mainland on Monday.
Clayton Jernigan, operator of Jernimans gas station in Ocracoke, said in an interview Monday it was limiting purchases to six gallons so it doesn't run out.
Dare County, North Carolina, also announced a state of emergency and a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island, a barrier island off the state's coast.
"North Carolinians along the coast should prepare for dangerous surf and rip currents and coastal flooding throughout the week," North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein warned on X on Monday.
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, issued a no swimming advisory to take effect Tuesday through Friday, according to a statement.
On Monday lifeguards conducted more than 60 rescues as rough seas and sweeping rip currents began to fill in, said Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue Director Sam Proffitt. None of those rescued had serious injuries, he said.
The National Weather Service office that covers Philadelphia said Erin could generate waves of 13 feet off New Jersey by Thursday, and it advised beachgoers to avoid the ocean from Delaware's shoreline to the northern reaches of the Jersey Shore.
"Stay out of the water," it said on X Sunday.
Erin, the first hurricane of this year’s Atlantic season, formed on Friday and pummeled the Caribbean as a Category 3 hurricane over the weekend.
It knocked out power to about 147,000 customers in Puerto Rico, according to Luma Energy. As of early Monday morning, 96.3% of customers have electricity service again, the island's power company said.
Erin also upended what was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime for a Boy Scout Troop from Plymouth, Wisconsin. The group is now left stuck on the Virgin Islands, according to NBC affiliate WTMJ of Milwaukee.
Troop 851 left Plymouth on Aug. 10 for St. Thomas with 10 scouts and leaders for a week of sailing, snorkeling, and teamwork. But on Aug. 14, their sailing trip was cut short due to the storm warning. When they reached the airport, they couldn’t board a flight home. An online fundraiser has been set up to support the troop's housing and extra meals as they await the next safe flight out.
