The life-threatening hurricane Erin has sparked a major warning following a change in its direction.
It has now escalated from a tropical storm to a category five hurricane with seven states across the US being warned that it has changed its path.
Hurricane Erin was given the category five status on Saturday (August 16) before being downgraded to a category three, but there are still concerns that this could cause serious damage.
It was previously thought that the storm would be moving towards the northwest at a speed of 13 mph, with maximum sustained winds hitting at 100 mph.
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However, it’s now thought that the force winds will extend up to 90 miles from the center of the storm, with winds coming up as far as 265 miles.
Which areas are most likely to be affected by the hurricane?
As of today (August 20), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a warning that the storm is expected to pass between the east coast and Bermuda from today before heading towards Canada.
The organization tweeted to its followers: “NOAA is monitoring water levels and winds for Hurricane Erin, which is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days.
“These rough ocean conditions are expected to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.”
The NHC said this morning that a storm surge warning was in effect for North Carolina’s Outer Banks from Cape Lookout to Duck, along with a tropical storm warning over the next 36 hours for Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina to the North Carolina/Virginia border, including Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.
Just this weekend on Sunday (August 17), Erin’s outer edges hit parts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rains and winds, knocking out power for thousands of people.
Government officials in the Turks and Caicos Islands also confirmed all services were suspended on three of its islands as it ordered all residents to stay home.
What have experts said about Hurricane Erin?
Hurricane Erin is expected to cause chaos for many of the areas affected, particularly Bermuda.
While the island won’t feel the full intensity of the storm until August 21 (tomorrow) evening, acting Minister of National Security Jache Adams said, storm surge would make waters too dangerous to swim, surf or boat on.
Because Erin is expected to remain a large force until mid-week, the hurricane center’s Richard Pasch told PBS: “You’re dealing with a major hurricane. The intensity is fluctuating. It’s a dangerous hurricane in any event.”