Hurricane Erin to hit New York offshore tonight — what to know as hazardous surf, coastal flooding loom

New York City officials are monitoring Hurricane Erin as it passes well offshore, bringing hazardous coastal conditions to the region. While the storm is not expected to make landfall, swells are driving surf heights between 9 and 16 feet, peaking late Thursday night into Friday morning.

Authorities have issued a High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk, effective through Friday. Coastal Flood Advisories and Warnings are also in place, with officials warning of potential beach erosion, dune loss, and flooding during high tides in vulnerable areas.

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), emphasized that even storms remaining offshore can produce dangerous conditions along the coastline. “Coastal storms can be unpredictable, and even when the center of a storm stays offshore, the impacts can still threaten lives, homes, and neighborhoods,” it said.

NYCEM maintains continuous coordination with federal, state, and local partners, and activates the city’s Coastal Storm Plan when necessary. This comprehensive plan covers flood protection, potential evacuations, shelter operations, relief efforts, and long-term recovery. Regular drills and exercises ensure that all response teams are prepared before real emergencies occur.

Officials urged residents to take precautions, stay out of dangerous surf, avoid the shoreline, and check on family, friends, and neighbors who may need assistance. Residents are also encouraged to prepare emergency kits, know their evacuation zones at nyc.gov/knowyourzone, and sign up for real-time alerts by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692.

“As always, our priority is keeping every New Yorker safe,” NYCEM said, highlighting the city’s ongoing efforts to protect communities and support recovery in the face of coastal hazards.

Hurricane Erin is passing well offshore of NYC tonight. While the storm will not make landfall here, it is producing hazardous coastal impacts. Swells are pushing surf to 9–16 feet, peaking late tonight into Friday morning. A High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk are in…

— NYC Emergency Management (@nycemergencymgt) August 21, 2025

In a statement via its official X page, NYCEM wrote:

“Hurricane Erin is passing well offshore of NYC tonight. While the storm will not make landfall here, it is producing hazardous coastal impacts. Swells are pushing surf to 9–16 feet, peaking late tonight into Friday morning. A High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk are in effect through Friday.

Coastal Flood Advisories and Warnings are also in place, with beach erosion, dune loss, and flooding expected during high tides in vulnerable areas. While Erin passes through and poses no direct threat to the city, NYCEM is always monitoring any storm systems that form in the Atlantic with our forecasting partners and determining when to activate the Coastal Storm Plan, the City’s most complex emergency plan. This plan guides flood protection, possible evacuations, shelter operations, relief, logistics, and long-term recovery.

To stay ready, NYCEM conducts regular tabletop exercises with internal teams and partners across the city, state, federal government, and private sector so every part of the response is tested before a real emergency. Our priority is keeping every New Yorker safe. Coastal storms can be unpredictable, and even when the center of a storm stays offshore, the impacts can still threaten lives, homes, and neighborhoods. That is why NYCEM works around the clock with our partners to prepare the city, protect communities, and support recovery. We ask New Yorkers to do their part by staying out of dangerous surf, using caution near the shoreline, and checking in on family, friends, and neighbors who may need extra support. Take this time to make sure you have a Go Bag ready, to Know Your Zone at http://nyc.gov/knowyourzone, and text NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for emergency real-time coastal storm updates.