Hurricane Erin Update: MD Beaches Close, 12-Foot Waves Possible

Last updated Tuesday at 3:41 p.m.

The approaching category 2 Hurricane Erin forced some Maryland beaches to close on Tuesday.

Ocean City and Assateague Island beaches are shut down as the ocean is now too dangerous for swimming.

Ocean City Beach Patrol released this advisory Tuesday in a Facebook Reel showing ocean conditions:

"We are experiencing dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone (shore break) and a high rip current risk. Lifeguards are on duty today to inform and protect the public, but for everyone's safety:

🚫 No swimming, wading or surfing until further notice
🌊 The conditions are deadly. Do not enter the ocean until further notice
✅ Always check in with a Surf Rescue Technician on duty for the latest updates

Your safety is our priority. Please stay out of the water and help us keep Ocean City safe."

Erin is expected to generate waves up to 12 feet in Ocean City and along the Delmarva Peninsula as the storm moves off the coast of Maryland and strengthens. Strong winds and a band of rain could clip the Eastern Shore, but the storm is expected to remain at sea and avoid direct landfall in the continental U.S.

Winds could reach Ocean City between 8 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Thursday. There is a 5 to 10% chance that the boardwalk records sustained tropical-storm-force winds of 39 mph or more, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Minor flooding could hit the Atlantic and Chesapeake coastlines of the Eastern Shore, where many waterfront areas are slated for at least 1 foot of flooding above ground level. Isolated areas could get at least 3 feet of inundation, the Hurricane Center said.

Assateague State Park has issued double red flag conditions, meaning all ocean access is prohibited, including swimming, surfing, wading, and any other water activities. While the beach remains open at this time, it may close if conditions worsen and access becomes unsafe due to rising storm surge, officials said.

Maryland's beaches are under a beach hazards statement, according to the National Weather Service, with dangerous rip currents and large breaking waves in the surf zone. A high surf advisory is also in place, with large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet expected in the surf zone.

The beach hazards statement is in effect through Thursday evening, while the high surf advisory is in place from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Friday.

"Very dangerous swimming and surfing conditions are expected, as well as the wave action resulting in significant beach erosion," the NWS said of Maryland's beach areas. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom, causing neck and back injuries."

Tropical Storm Erin, a large and powerful system, is bringing increasing wave activity, coastal flooding, and hazardous surf conditions. A Tropical Storm Watch is now in effect for coastal waters, and the risk of rip currents is high. Beach and dune erosion is expected, particularly from Wednesday evening through Thursday as the storm passes offshore.

No flooding is expected in the upper Chesapeake Bay. Waterfront cities like Baltimore and Annapolis are expected to escape without any flood damage.

The Hurricane Center said there is a high risk for rip currents in Maryland. The conditions will be life-threatening for all levels of swimmers.

"Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of the Bahamas, much of the east coast of the U.S., Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada during the next several days," the NHC said. "Beachgoers in those areas should follow advice from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags."

Lt. Mike Stone of the Ocean City Beach Patrol told WBOC that visitors should "only swim when lifeguards are on duty, and if the surf is rough, it's probably not a good idea to be out there."

"We're expecting higher rip currents, heavy surf and some erosion," Stone told WBOC. "Our stands are being pulled back, and we'll work with town officials to keep people safe."

Salisbury University expects to remain open throughout the storm, as few inland effects are forecasted.

"The [National Weather Service] warns that large waves, rip currents and dangerous surf zone conditions will exist throughout the Mid-Atlantic coast for much of the week," the college said in a Monday press release. "Some outer rainbands may clip eastern portions of the region, including Wicomico County and surrounding areas, Wednesday evening into Thursday, August 20-21, potentially resulting in localized areas of heavy rain and strong winds, as well as minor to moderate coastal flooding."

Erin had maximum sustained winds of 105 mph on Tuesday morning. As of 8 a.m., she was located east of The Bahamas and about 720 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

The storm was traveling at 7 mph northwest toward the East Coast, but forecasters anticipate it turning northeastward and heading out into the ocean when the system is parallel with the Carolinas.

By 2 a.m. Wednesday, Erin should be off the coast of mid-Florida. It should be offshore of the North Carolina-South Carolina border by early Thursday morning and southern Virginia by Friday morning.

The core of Erin's strongest hurricane winds is not expected to affect any part of the U.S. East Coast, according to The Weather Channel's forecast for Tuesday. But the storm is expected to strengthen by mid-week and regain major hurricane status.

"Erin's size, tropical storm force winds are increasingly possible in eastern North Carolina, even though the center will remain well offshore," The Weather Channel says. "These winds could arrive as soon as late Wednesday and continue into Thursday. These winds may down some tree limbs and could knock out power in a few areas."

The Outer Banks are expecting the worst flooding and storm surge. Coastal North Carolina could see a storm surge of up to 4 feet, the Weather Service said.

Erin's large size and winds are generating swells that can reach 50 feet, the height of a five-story building, or more near the center of the storm and spread outward, AccuWeather said.

Swells will reach 5 to 10 feet near shore along the U.S. Atlantic Coasts, the weather agency said.

Beaches that extend out into the ocean, such as in North Carolina's Outer Banks and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, can experience waves of 15 to 20 feet. Waves of 10 to 15 feet are possible on the eastern end of Long Island.

The National Weather Service said Maryland won't feel the full effects of the storm, with only a chance of periodic showers from Tuesday through Thursday.

On Tuesday night, moderate tidal flooding is possible along the shorelines of the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, the tidal Potomac River, and the I-95 corridor into Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., according to the NWS's hazardous weather outlook.

Here is the NWS's seven-day forecast for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport:

Tuesday: Areas of drizzle. Cloudy, with a high near 73. East wind 9 to 13 mph.

Tuesday Night: Patchy drizzle before 8pm, then patchy drizzle after 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. East wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. Northeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 83.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 83.