Columbia, S.C. – Hurricane Erin surged into a Category 3 storm overnight Saturday, becoming the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season with sustained winds near 120 mph. While the system is expected to pass well east of South Carolina, forecasters warn that dangerous surf and rip currents could impact beachgoers by the middle of next week.
According to the National Weather Service in Columbia, Erin is moving west-northwest at 20 mph and is expected to remain offshore. The track keeps the hurricane away from direct landfall, but ocean conditions along the South Carolina coast will grow increasingly hazardous beginning Tuesday. Swimmers, surfers, and boaters are advised to use extreme caution as rip currents and high waves could become life-threatening.
Local emergency officials urge residents and visitors to monitor warnings closely if heading to beaches from Myrtle Beach to Hilton Head. Even with the storm offshore, elevated tides and rough surf may lead to dangerous conditions on piers, jetties, and barrier islands.
Erin is projected to remain a major hurricane as it turns northward midweek. Coastal impacts could linger through late Wednesday, and additional advisories may be issued if conditions worsen.
