Hurricane Erin Brings Dangerous Rip Currents and Rising Concerns for the East Coast
Hurricane Erin is forecast to spare the United States mainland but nevertheless has led to mandatory evacuations along parts of North Carolina’s coast, where storm surges threaten flooding at the height of tourist season. Erin was a large Category 2 hurricane as of Tuesday morning and is predicted to pass east of the Bahamas then turn north and northeast midweek, sending dangerous surf and 2–4 feet of storm surge onto portions of North Carolina’s Outer Banks before gradually weakening and likely becoming post-tropical by late Saturday.
Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, labeled Erin a “very powerful” hurricane that will stay offshore but nevertheless “result in some very dangerous conditions” due to its “very large size.”
On social media, Christians impacted by Erin were asking for prayers.
“I’m calling on the Saints for prayer,” one person wrote. “Hurricane Erin has made some interesting changes. A friend of mine who lives in OBX just got an evacuation notice. Time to pray ya’ll.”
I’m calling on the Saints for prayer. Hurricane Erin has made some interesting changes. A friend of mine who lives in OBX just got an evacuation notice. Time to pray ya’ll. 🤍🙏
— Alexx (@alexxelizabeth2) August 18, 2025
Residents and tourists in North Carolina’s Outer Banks -- a string of barrier islands popular with beachgoers -- faced a mandatory evacuation. Officials cautioned that the storm may generate hazardous rip currents stretching from Florida up to New England, the Associated Press reported.
Parts of the North Carolina coast are under a storm surge watch and tropical storm watch.
“We’re concerned about those structures right along the beach,” Richard Pasch of the National Hurricane Center told AP.
The hurricane already has led to dangerous conditions along the North Carolina coast, with officials reporting 85 rip current rescues this week, including about 70 at Wrightsville Beach.
Erin weakened in the past 24 hours from a Category 4 to a Category 2 but is expected to intensify once again, the National Hurricane Center said.
Holly Andrzejewski, who owns a bed and breakfast on the beach with her family, has had to reschedule guests.
“It’s just one of those things where you know this is always a possibility and it could happen, and you just make the best out of it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t live at the beach,” Andrzejewski told AP.
AUG 18 - PM: Dr. Michael Brennan provides the latest updates on Major Hurricane #Erin from the National Hurricane Center: https://t.co/2XF5527lXk
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) August 18, 2025
For more detailed forecasts and written text updates, visit: https://t.co/SWqzCBT9LA
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Handout/Handout
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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Originally published August 19, 2025.
