When to expect worst from Hurricane Erin on East Coast: A state-by-state breakdown
Hurricane Erin’s impacts are already underway across the Southeast, with some of the biggest waves and highest winds forecast later Wednesday and Wednesday night. Here’s a breakdown of when those on the East Coast from the Carolinas to Maine could see coastal conditions deteriorate.
South Carolina sees waves build ahead of Hurricane Erin
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray reports from outside Charleston, in the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. On Wednesday, Hurricane Erin began producing stronger and bigger waves. However, surfers were not deterred by the rip currents.
Hurricane Erin’s impacts are already underway across the Southeast, where beaches are closed, and coastal dangers are building for the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.
Here’s a breakdown of when those on the East Coast, from the Carolinas to Maine, could see coastal conditions deteriorate this week as Hurricane Erin continues northeastward off the U.S. coastline.
North Carolina: Wednesday night-Thursday morning
Erin will pass offshore of North Carolina on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning, bringing the biggest impacts to the Outer Banks. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has declared a state of emergency to assist with the response to Hurricane Erin and to mobilize resources.
Watch: Drone video shows monster waves from Hurricane Erin pounding North Carolina beach
A drone video from Exclusive FOX Weather Storm Tracker Mark Sudduth shows monster waves pounding the beach in Rodanthe, North Carolina, as Hurricane Erin churns offshore on Aug. 20, 2025.
Tropical-storm-force winds are possible along the Outer Banks beginning Wednesday night. Gusty winds between 25 and 50 mph are possible in the Outer Banks.
Coastal flood alerts are in place for much of the Southeast, including a warning for the Outer Banks.
Large waves are beginning to build, and beaches across the coast are closed. Waves are forecast to reach up to 20 feet, with the swell lasting into Friday with 10-foot waves and dangerous rip currents.
Virginia and Maryland: Wednesday night-Thursday
Windy conditions and waves in Virginia Beach, Virginia. (FOX Weather)
Peak impacts from Erin will happen late Wednesday and into Thursday for coastal Virginia, where a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect.
Large waves, strong rip currents, coastal flooding and strong winds are all possible along the coast. Gusty winds of up to 40 mph are possible on Thursday.
Erin will continue north on Thursday, making its closest approach to the Maryland coast but still remaining well offshore.
Maryland beaches prepare for dangerous rip currents, large swells from Erin
Hurricane Erin is creating dangerous beach conditions along the U.S. East Coast. FOX Weather Correspondent Brandy Campbell is in Ocean City, Maryland, to find out how the city is preparing for Erin's impacts.
New Jersey and Delaware: Thursday-Friday
Hurricane Erin impacts to slam New York, Northeast beaches
Many New York City beaches are closed to swimmers due to the dangerous high surf conditions produced by Hurricane Erin. FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar reports from the city of Long Beach on Long Island.
Throughout Thursday, New Jersey and Delaware beaches will see the most significant coastal hazards with large breaking waves, gusty winds and life-threatening rip currents.
"While the center of the storm will pass about 350-450 miles south and east of our area, it will be rapidly expanding in size with its tropical-storm-force wind field reaching just offshore of our coasts," the NWS in Mount Holly, New Jersey, said.
A Wind Advisory is in place from Thursday morning through Thursday night from Ocean County southward, where sustained winds of up to 30 mph could last for more than two hours.
On Friday, the weather will clear up, but the dangerous surf and rip currents will remain.
New York: Thursday night-Friday morning
From Thursday through Friday night, Erin will pass southeast of New York.
Winds will peak between late Thursday and early Friday, with localized gusts of up to 40 mph across Long Island and the coast.
Red "No Swimming" flags are seen in Brighton Beach amid Hurricane Erin on August 20, 2025 in the Coney Island neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. NYC Mayor Eric Adams and Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, the parks commissioner, announced that city beaches would be closed for several days as rip currents and rough waters are expected along the East Coast due to Hurricane Erin. Lifeguards will not be on duty during the closures but will be stationed along the coastline along with members of the Parks Enforcement Patrol to prevent people from attempting to swim. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)
Massachusetts and Rhode Island: Friday
Erin will pass well offshore of New England on Friday, where a High Surf Advisory is in place for coastal areas. Large, breaking waves are increasing on Wednesday and will peak on Friday, with waves up to 13 feet in the surf zone.
High surf, dangerous rip currents and gale-force gusts, along with beach erosion, will be the primary threats through Friday.
Maine: Ongoing waves through Friday
The primary threats from Erin in Maine will be offshore with waves up to 9 feet along the coast. Rip currents and coastal erosion are also possible through the weekend.