Hurricane Erin formed in the Atlantic on Aug. 15, becoming the first hurricane of the 2025 season and putting it on track to become a major hurricane over the weekend, forecasters said. Erin became a hurricane shortly before 11 a.m. ET and was moving quickly, the National Hurricane Center said. As of 2 p.m. ET, it was located about 415 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, moving west-northwest at about 17 mph. Its winds were clocked at 75 mph with higher gusts, surpassing the 74 mph needed to be classified as a Category 1 hurricane. "At this time we don't expect a direct hit to the United States – we still need to watch it just in case," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. "We expect the entirety of the East Coast to be impacted by big waves, rip currents next week." It was still too early to determine exactly what impact Erin might have on the East Coast of the United States, the Bahamas and Bermuda, forecasters said. Rough surf conditions and rip currents could be in store for the Atlantic basin, with potential for tropical storm conditions in Puerto Rico and the Leeward Islands. Experts urged preparing ahead of time for potential hurricane impacts. Tropical storm watches were in place on Aug. 15 for the islands of Anguilla, Barbuda, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. Other impacts to land include the chance of 10- to 15-foot waves along the Outer Banks, barrier islands off North Carolina and southern Virginia, flash flooding and mudslides in Puerto Rico and wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph in Bermuda, AccuWeather said. Erin is predicted to become a major hurricane, defined as a Category 3 or higher storm. Major hurricanes have wind speeds of over 110 mph, and AccuWeather predicted Erin could have winds of at least 130 mph, which would make it a Category 4 storm. "Regardless of the details, Erin will be a large and powerful hurricane over the southwestern Atlantic Ocean this weekend," the National Hurricane Center said in a morning update. Thesystem developed into a tropical stormout in the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 12 and moved along a westward path. It originated off the African coast as a cluster of rain showers and thunderstorms last week, according to AccuWeather. This is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather usually peaks between mid-August and mid-October. On average, the Atlanticusually sees its first hurricaneon about Aug. 11, according to NOAA, putting Erin just about on track with typical seasons. Forecasters said Erin will be a powerful, major hurricane within the next few days. Current forecast models from the National Hurricane Center predict Erin's maximum sustained winds will reach up to 140 mph as the storm barrels through the Atlantic, eventually putting it at a Category 4 hurricane. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes in categories from 1 to 5 based on their wind speeds and describes how much damage they could cause if their paths took them over land or close enough to it. The scale doesn't take other potentially dangerous storm effects into account, such as storm surge, rainfall-induced flooding or tornadoes. Category 1: Wind speeds are 74-95 mph. Very dangerous winds will produce some damage:Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days. Category 2:Wind speeds are 96-110 mph.Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage:Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. Category 3:Wind speeds are 111-129 mph. Devastating damage will occur:Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes. Category 4:Wind speeds are 130-156 mph.Catastrophic damage will occur:Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. Category 5:Wind speeds are 157 mph or higher.Catastrophic damage will occur:A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Prepare now for hurricanes:Here's what you should do before a storm arrives Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need anevacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath,NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for aninsurance check-upto make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or theNational Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down yourhurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Hurricane Erin forms in the Atlantic, expected to strengthen
