HOUSTON – Hurricane Erin, currently a powerful Category 4 storm, won’t hit the U.S., but will still create dangerous ocean conditions on the East Coast.
Erin’s winds are generating massive waves in the open ocean, which could become life-threatening rip currents and towering waves when they reach shore. Right now, we’re tracking waves from 8 feet to much bigger waves near the eye of the storm exceeding 50 feet in the open Atlantic waters.
And while we won’t have an impact in Houston - we are familiar with the concept of rip currents thanks to the waters of Galveston.
So what are rip currents?
Think of them as fast-moving, narrow streams of water flowing away from the beach—like a conveyor belt pulling swimmers out to sea.
Erin’s waves will push large amounts of water toward the shore, and as it rushes back out through low spots, it creates strong currents that can sweep swimmers away faster than they can swim.
So what do you do if you ever find yourself stuck in a RIP current?
If caught in a rip current, do these three things:
- Stay calm: Panicking wastes energy. Float or tread water to conserve strength.
- Swim parallel to the shore because rip currents pull you out, not under. This is what you want to swim sideways along the shoreline to escape the current’s grip.
These steps help you safely navigate the current and return to shore.
So what we will watch is Erin’s direct impact and heavy rainfall:
Heavy rainfall will drench parts of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos, and the Bahamas, especially east of San Salvador Island.
Life-threatening rip currents are expected along beaches in the Bahamas, the U.S. East Coast, and Bermuda for the next few days.