‘Stay vigilant’: How northeastern South Carolina braces for Hurricane Erin
Hurricane Erin is slowly making its way through the Atlantic Ocean, with the most considerable impacts to the Myrtle Beach area expected to hit Wednesday and Thursday.
The storm is expected to stay “well off the Southeast U.S. coast,” according to a morning weather update from the National Weather Service in Wilmington, NC. The main impacts of the storm to coastal Horry County and the remaining Myrtle Beach area are life-threatening rip currents, high surf and coastal flooding, a forecast from the NWS said.
Many surfers in the Myrtle Beach region have expressed excitement over higher swells and better waves in the coming days.
However, it’s important for people to “stay vigilant” as the storm moves through, Horry County Emergency Management official Thomas Bell wrote in a text message to The Sun News.
“Beachgoers should follow lifeguard instructions and be mindful of any flags being flown that indicate conditions,” Bell’s text read. “Some minor coastal flooding will be possible during high tide cycles, so those who see occasional tidal flooding should remain aware of any potential water inundation.”
Areas of coastal North Carolina have already seen coastal flooding, evacuations and storm surge, according to reporting by the News and Observer.
Hurricane Erin is forecast to turn north and northeast throughout Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The center then predicts it will move faster toward the northeast and east-northeast Thursday and Friday.
The storm was classified as a Category 2 hurricane as of Wednesday morning.
This story was originally published August 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM.
