Hurricane Erin at a Glance
- Intensity Change
As of Sunday, August 17, 2025, Hurricane Erin has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) (Reuters, AP News, National Hurricane Center). Although weakened from its earlier Category 5 peak of 160 mph, Erin remains powerful
Hurricane Erin at a Glance
- Intensity Change
As of Sunday, August 17, 2025, Hurricane Erin has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 km/h) (Reuters, AP News, National Hurricane Center). Although weakened from its earlier Category 5 peak of 160 mph, Erin remains powerful and dangerous (Reuters, AP News, The Washington Post). - Current Location & Movement
- Located approximately 200 miles (320 km) NNW of San Juan, Puerto Rico and 240 miles (385 km) east of Grand Turk Island (National Hurricane Center, AP News, Reuters, The Washington Post).
- Tracking west-northwest (WNW) at about 13 mph (20 km/h) (National Hurricane Center, AP News, Reuters).
- Size & Structure
Erin’s hurricane-force winds now extend up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds stretch up to 205 miles (335 km) (National Hurricane Center, Reuters). An eyewall replacement cycle is underway, a structural shift that typically leads to temporary weakening, but can also pave the way for re-intensification once complete (The Economic Times, The Washington Post, ABC News, Indiatimes).
Impact on the Caribbean Islands
- Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico
Outer bands continue to unleash heavy rain, gusty winds, downed trees, and power outages. Estimates: between 147,000 to over 200,000 customers without power (AP News, Reuters, Wikipedia, FOX Weather).
Rainfall totals from 2 to 6 inches, with some isolated areas seeing up to 8 inches, raising flash flood, mudslide, and landslide threats (New York Post, Houston Chronicle, The Washington Post, ABC News, FOX Weather). - Warnings in Effect
- Flash flood warnings remain active through Monday morning for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (ABC News, AP News, The Washington Post).
- Tropical Storm Warning in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands; Tropical Storm Watch extended to the southeast Bahamas (National Hurricane Center, Reuters, The Economic Times, The Washington Post).
Forecast & Future Outlook
- Erin is expected to gradually turn northward over Monday and Tuesday, with its core passing east of Turks & Caicos and the southeast Bahamas (National Hurricane Center, Reuters, The Washington Post).
- Despite its downgrade, Erin is likely to remain a major hurricane through midweek, with the potential to re-intensify after completing its eyewall replacement cycle (AP News, ABC News, National Hurricane Center, The Washington Post).
- Ocean Hazards
Hazardous surf, especially rip currents, are expected to affect the U.S. East Coast, the Bahamas, and Bermuda as the storm expands and moves northward (Reuters, The Washington Post, New York Post).
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Currently Category 3 (125 mph); possibility of re-strengthening |
| Movement | West-northwest at ~13 mph; expected northward turn Mon–Tue |
| Caribbean Impact | Flash floods, downed power lines, widespread outages |
| Warnings | Flash flood warnings until Monday; alerts across Turks & Caicos, Bahamas |
| US Coast Risk | Rising surf & dangerous rip currents expected offshore |
Let me know if you’d like updates on emergency services, shelter info, or future intensity projections—I’m here to help keep you safe and informed!
https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/erin-downgraded-category-3-hurricane-nhc-says-2025-08-17/?utm_source=chatgpt.com