Hurricane Erin was the first major storm of the 2025 U.S. hurricane season. Here’s a look back at some of the most devastating hurricanes that deeply affected minority communities in the U.S. over the last 20 years.

Last week, Hurricane Erin became the first major hurricane of the 2025 season, peaking as a Category 5 storm and leading to 12 deaths.

Erin’s erratic nature, highlighted by its ability to intensify greatly in a 24-hour period, further showed how climate change is complicating already existing weather systems.

The science communication nonprofit Climate Central estimated that human-caused climate change made the warm water temperature around where Erin formed 90% more likely — a key ingredient for hurricane formation — according to the New York Times .

Diminished wetla

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