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Hurricane Erin grows as it barrels towards Caribbean

August 17, 2025

Hurricane Erin, initially a rare category five cyclone with 160mph winds, has weakened to a category three hurricane as it moves toward the Bahamian Archipelago. Despite the reduction in intensity, the storm is growing in size with tropical-storm-strength winds extending 205 miles from its center, threatening the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico with flash flooding and landslides. The hurricane is currently passing north of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with winds up to 125mph, and is expected to turn away from the US mainland into the Atlantic over the next week.

Who is affected

  • Residents of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
  • People in the Turks and Caicos islands
  • Coastal communities along the US east coast, particularly in Florida and mid-Atlantic states
  • Residents of Bermuda and the Bahamas
  • Maritime vessels and port operations in St Thomas, St John, and six Puerto Rican municipalities

What action is being taken

  • The US National Hurricane Center is monitoring Hurricane Erin's development and providing updates
  • Tropical storm warnings have been issued for the Turks and Caicos islands
  • The US Coast Guard is imposing restrictions on vessels at ports in the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
  • Weather authorities are tracking the storm's path as it moves through the Caribbean

Why it matters

  • The hurricane threatens to cause flash flooding and landslides in affected areas
  • Hurricane Erin is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season
  • The storm will generate life-threatening surf swells and rip currents along almost the entire US east coast
  • The storm represents part of the "above normal" Atlantic hurricane season predicted by NOAA
  • The situation illustrates the projected increase in high-category tropical storms due to global warming

What's next

  • The hurricane is expected to continue turning northwards away from the US mainland over the course of next week
  • Rainfall totals across the Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos islands are predicted to reach 6 inches on Sunday
  • The storm is expected to fluctuate in intensity as it develops over the next few days

Read full article from source: BBC