On Saturday, Hurricane Erin intensified into a formidable Category 4 storm, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. Currently positioned 150 miles northeast of Anguilla, the hurricane boasts maximum sustained winds reaching 145 mph and is moving west-northwest at a speed of 20 mph. While it is not currently forecasted to make landfall, the storm's strong winds are impacting nearby islands, leading to warnings of potential flooding, landslides, and mudslides.
The National Hurricane Center has indicated that Hurricane Erin will eventually veer away from the continental United States. Tropical storm watches have been issued for major islands including St. Martin, St. Barts, and St. Maarten. The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce heavy rainfall through Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, as stated by the meteorological center.
Currently, Hurricane Erin remains a compact storm; however, it is projected to grow in size over the coming days. This expansion will likely result in rough ocean waters across the western Atlantic. Hurricane specialist and storm surge expert, Michael Lowry, explained that Erin is anticipated to make a sharp turn northeast, positioning it between the U.S. and Bermuda. "All of our best consensus aids show Erin turning safely east of the United States next week, but it will be a much closer call for Bermuda," said Lowry, noting the potential for Bermuda to experience the storm's stronger eastern side.
Hurricane Erin marks the fifth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, and is the first to reach hurricane status this year. Experts predict that Erin will further intensify into a powerful Category 4 hurricane as it traverses the exceptionally warm waters of the open Atlantic. According to Alex DaSilva, Accuweather's lead hurricane expert, water temperatures at both the surface and deeper layers are several degrees above historical averages, contributing to the storm's development.
This hurricane season is forecasted to be unusually active, with predictions of six to ten hurricanes, and three to five expected to achieve major hurricane status with winds exceeding 110 mph. In response to these predictions, the U.S. government has mobilized over 200 employees from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to Puerto Rico as a precaution. Forecasters have issued a flood watch for the entire U.S. territory from late Friday into Monday.
Ciary Pérez Peña, Puerto Rico's Housing Secretary, mentioned that 367 shelters have been inspected and are ready to open if necessary. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard announced the closure of six seaports in Puerto Rico and two in the U.S. Virgin Islands to all incoming vessels unless prior authorization has been granted. In the Bahamas, officials are also taking precautions by preparing public shelters and urging residents to closely monitor the hurricane's progress.
Aarone Sargent, managing director for the Bahamas' disaster risk management authority, emphasized the unpredictable nature of hurricanes, stating that “these storms are very volatile and can make sudden shifts in movement.” As the situation develops, it is crucial for residents in affected areas to stay informed and prepared for potential impacts from Hurricane Erin.
