Starting the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season with a splash, Hurricane Erin has beat several records this summer, establishing itself as one of the biggest storms of the year.
On August 11th, Erin started as a tropical storm off the shore of the Cabo Verde Islands, a small chain of islands offshore of northwestern Africa. It had started as a weak storm until August 15th, when it accelerated into a Category 1 hurricane. Within just 48 hours, Hurricane Erin had developed into a Category 5 hurricane off the shore of Puerto Rico.
This is a phenomenon that scientists have named “rapid intensification”, where a hurricane increases in wind speed by at least 35 miles per hour over a 24-hour period. USA Today reports that Hurricane Erin has increased winds of 85 miles per hour in only 21 hours. This acceleration was made possible by warmer water temperatures around the Central American islands.
Once a Category 5 Hurricane, Erin’s effects caused several power outages and flood damage to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas according to USA today. Many islands were also affected by the extreme winds associated with the hurricane.
As Erin reached the eastern coast of the United States, it had died down to a Category 2 Hurricane. However, it did bring several strong storms to eastern states.
Roanoke was hit with one of these storms, and extensive flash floods buried several streets in downtown Roanoke. The Hurricane brought a shocking four inches of rain in two hours, according to WSLS 10 News, which engulfed several streets.
Community workers barricaded flooded streets, such as Frontage Rd, to ensure public safety. WDBJ7 News reports that Roanoke Fire-EMS had five calls related to the flooding.
As oceans warm with the effects of global warming, hurricane season becomes something that we must take seriously. Warmer water can not only cause storms to become more frequent, but it can increase the process of rapid intensification. Without attention and change, we will have to keep dealing with the damage these storms bring.
Sources: CNN News, USA Today, WDBJ7 News, WSLS 10 News
Kara Hopkins
News Section Editor
