Hurricane Erin intensifies: warning of hazardous waves along the eastern coast of the USA.
The Atlantic Braces for Impact of Major Hurricane Erin
Hurricane Erin, the first major storm of the season, has intensified to a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds reaching up to 215 km/h. While its current trajectory seems to keep it away from making direct landfall, the sheer size of the hurricane poses a significant threat to the region.
Impacts and Evacuations in the Caribbean
The initial effects of Hurricane Erin have already been felt in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with power outages affecting over 147,000 households. The disruption caused dozens of flight cancellations over the weekend, although ports have since reopened following the storm’s passage. In anticipation of the storm’s potential impact, authorities in North Carolina have declared a state of emergency and issued orders for the preventive evacuation of Hatteras Island.
Rising Concerns Over Intensifying Hurricanes and Climate Change
Hurricane Erin’s rapid intensification is part of a troubling trend observed in the Atlantic. Scientists attribute this behavior to climate change, citing warmer ocean temperatures as a catalyst for stronger storms and a warmer atmosphere’s ability to hold more moisture, leading to increased rainfall. Experts caution that the effects of hurricanes, like Erin, are not limited to direct impacts and are already being felt in the Caribbean, with potential future impacts along the east coast of the United States.
