Hurricane Erin, a powerful Category 2 storm churning hundreds of miles off the East Coast, is making its presence felt across southeastern Massachusetts, prompting officials in Nantucket to close all South Shore beaches and issue stern warnings to residents and visitors. Though the storm is not expected to make direct landfall, its expansive wind field is generating hazardous conditions, including life-threatening rip currents and dangerously high surf.
On Tuesday, the Town of Nantucket’s Emergency Management Office announced the closure of all South Shore beaches to swimming due to the escalating risks. Forecasts predict surf could reach 8 to 12 feet on Wednesday, swelling to a perilous 20 to 25 feet by Thursday. In an official advisory, the town urged everyone to stay out of the water, describing the rip currents as “extremely dangerous and life-threatening.” For those still wishing to visit the coast, officials recommended Jetties Beach, which will remain staffed with lifeguards and offers safer conditions.
The storm, which was classified as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph as of Tuesday evening, is already impacting the region. Passengers arriving on ferries in Woods Hole reported rough conditions. “The waves were huge,” said Carly Carta, a visitor from Connecticut, in a statement to WCVB. “I was not going to go in the water, I feel like it would take me out.”
In preparation for the storm’s peak, Nantucket officials are taking extensive precautions. Harbormaster Sheila Lucey has advised boaters to secure their vessels, recommending that dinghies and kayaks be removed from docks and pulled beyond the high tide mark. The town also plans to close the dinghy docks and the end of the Town Pier bulkhead to prevent damage. Public works crews are removing beach access stairs and relocating lifeguard stands to higher ground.
The impact extends beyond Nantucket’s shores. A high surf advisory has been issued for coastal parts of Plymouth, Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, and Nantucket counties through at least Thursday evening. Meteorologists predict the storm will make its closest pass to the region on Friday morning, remaining more than 300 miles offshore. Despite the distance, wind gusts on Cape Cod and the Islands are expected to reach up to 50 mph on Friday. “It’s likely staying 350 miles from our coastline, which is why we’re not seeing any direct impacts,” StormTeam 5 meteorologist Kelly Ann Cicalese said. “The indirect impacts will be rather widespread for southern New England.”
Travel is also being significantly affected. The Steamship Authority issued a travel advisory, warning of likely service disruptions and diversions beginning Wednesday. Ferry service to Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard is expected to be diverted to Vineyard Haven from Wednesday night through Friday morning. High-speed ferry service to Nantucket faces possible disruptions on Thursday. The hazardous conditions have also forced the postponement of the annual Oak Bluffs fireworks display, which has been rescheduled from Friday to Saturday.
While Hurricane Erin is expected to weaken as it moves north, officials emphasize that the danger from high surf and rip currents will persist through the end of the week. Residents and visitors are urged to monitor official channels for updates and to exercise extreme caution near the water.
