Hurricane Erin Spurs Beach Closures and Dangerous Rip Currents Across Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware

As Hurricane Erin moves up the Atlantic coast as a Category 2 storm, officials in Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware have taken precautionary measures including closing several popular beaches and banning swimming to protect residents and visitors from treacherous surf and rip currents.

Although the storm is not expected to make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, it remains a significant threat for coastal areas, producing life-threatening surf conditions and hazardous rip currents stretching from North Carolina through the Mid-Atlantic region. Ocean City in Maryland, along with Delaware’s Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Bethany Beach, have all suspended swimming activities as a result of the hazardous conditions. Assateague State Park in Maryland also closed its swimming areas due to dangerous surf.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that Hurricane Erin has maximum sustained winds near 105 mph with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 80 miles from its center. The storm is tracking east of the Bahamas, expected to pass over the Western Atlantic between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda through Wednesday and Thursday.

Impacts on Beaches and Coastal Communities

Virginia Beach officials are closely monitoring the storm’s trajectory and are prepared to implement additional safety measures if necessary. Emergency management teams are using predictive models to guide their response plans as the storm approaches. Meanwhile, Maryland and Delaware beaches have proactively prohibited swimming for the week due to expectations of dangerous rip currents and large breaking waves.

Forecasters warn that waves up to 8 to 13 feet high are anticipated along Delaware beaches by Thursday, with surf conditions worsening throughout the week. This may also cause minor beach erosion along the Mid-Atlantic coast. Ocean City and other beach areas have issued public advisories urging visitors to heed lifeguard warnings and avoid entering the ocean despite the temptation brought by summer weather.

Broader East Coast Effects

Although Hurricane Erin will remain offshore, its influence is already being felt across the East Coast. North Carolina’s Outer Banks are experiencing high winds above 40 mph, heavy rain, and mandatory evacuations for certain barrier islands to the south. A storm surge watch and high surf advisories are in place for these areas, where coastal flooding and dune damage are expected.

Further north, dangerous rip currents and high surf advisories extend into New Jersey, Long Island, and Massachusetts, signaling that the storm’s reach is broad and affecting a large portion of the East Coast’s recreational beach areas through Friday.

Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, emphasized the seriousness of the ocean hazards posed by Hurricane Erin, stating, “These rough ocean conditions will likely cause life-threatening surf and rip currents,” and urging residents to heed local authorities’ warnings to stay safe.

Safety Recommendations

Authorities strongly recommend that beachgoers stay out of the water until conditions improve and red flags are lifted. Rip currents can quickly sweep swimmers miles offshore and have already resulted in dozens of rescues along the Outer Banks. Even experienced swimmers face significant risks during these hazardous surf conditions.

Emergency management agencies across the affected states continue to monitor Hurricane Erin’s path and will update the public as conditions evolve. Residents and visitors should stay informed through local news and official advisories, especially if planning to visit coastal areas over the next several days.

Hurricane Erin is the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began in June and runs through November. Its formation from a tropical storm near Cabo Verde marks a continuation of an active hurricane season.

For more information and updates, residents are encouraged to monitor local weather services and heed all posted warnings to ensure their safety during this ongoing storm event.