Hurricane Erin Downgraded to Category 3 as It Approaches Caribbean – NHC Update

Hurricane Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, has been downgraded to a Category 3 storm, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm, once a powerful Category 5, weakened slightly as wind speeds dropped.

As of early Sunday, Erin was located about 330 miles (530 km) southeast of Grand Turk Island, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph). It is moving west-northwest at 14 mph (22 kph), though forecasters expect it to slow down and shift northward by Monday or Tuesday.

The hurricane is still generating large ocean swells, which are expected to impact the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Turks and Caicos Islands in the coming days. These swells will also reach the Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast, and parts of Atlantic Canada early this week, bringing life-threatening surf and rip currents.

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands by the Bahamas' meteorological agency, which supports forecasting for the British territory.

At its peak, Erin reached Category 5 status with sustained winds of 160 mph (240 kph). The storm was originally expected to intensify further this week but has since weakened.

Emergency Preparations Underway

Over 200 federal personnel from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies have been deployed as a precaution. In Puerto Rico, 367 emergency shelters have been inspected and are ready to open if necessary, according to Housing Secretary Ciary Perez Peña.

Authorities in the Bahamas are also preparing emergency shelters and urging residents to stay updated on the storm's progress.

Additional Risks and Climate Impacts

Meteorologists have also warned of potential wildfire risks if strong winds from Erin combine with dry conditions and human activity. Andrew Siffert, Senior Meteorologist at BMS Group, noted this could become a concern if Erin evolves into a strong offshore system fueled by clashing air masses.

Erin is the fifth named storm of what is expected to be an unusually active hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. Forecasts predict 6 to 10 hurricanes, with 3 to 5 expected to reach major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher).

Scientists continue to link the increasing intensity and rapid development of Atlantic hurricanes to climate change, citing rising ocean temperatures and higher atmospheric moisture as key factors. These changes can make storms like Erin more dangerous and harder to predict, complicating emergency planning and response efforts.