Hurricane Erin Downgraded to Category 3, Raising New Concerns

Hurricane Erin, the first of the 2025 Atlantic season, was downgraded to Category 3. The storm, earlier at Category 5, will graze the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas, creating dangerous waves. Concerns about wildfire risks are rising if wind and dry conditions persist with the storm offshore.

Hurricane Erin, the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has been downgraded from a catastrophic Category 5 to a more moderate Category 3, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. As of early Sunday, the storm was located approximately 330 miles east-southeast of Grand Turk Island, moving west-northwest.

Initially, Erin packed sustained winds of 160 mph but has eased to 125 mph. Meteorologists pinpointed a slower trajectory, with Erin expected to turn north by early next week. While tropical storm watches have been lifted for some islands, a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos, and the southeastern Bahamas.

Forecasters warn that swells from Erin will impact a vast range from the Bahamas to Atlantic Canada. Despite the storm staying offshore, surf and rip currents pose life-threatening risks. Concerns also surface about fire hazards in dry regions, signaling potential wildfire risks if unfavorable conditions persist.

(With inputs from agencies.)