Hurricane Erin nears US East coast: North Carolina’s outer banks hit; NHC warns of ‘life-threatening surf and currents’ (Pic credit: AP)
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of “life-threatening surf and currents” along much of the US East coast as Hurricane Erin’s outer bands brushed North Carolina on Wednesday evening.A storm surge warning was issued for Cape Lookout to Duck, North Carolina, while a tropical storm warning was in effect from Beaufort Inlet to Chincoteague, Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.The NHC advisory at 8 pm ET said hurricane-force winds extended outward up to 105 miles from the storm’s center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching 265 miles.
Top Developments
- Hurricane Erin’s outer bands brushed North Carolina’s Outer Banks, prompting Highway 12 closure
- NHC warned of “life-threatening surf and currents,” storm surge and flooding across US East coast
- Evacuations began in Outer Banks; NY, NJ closed beaches as Erin churned northward.
Hurricane Erin, now a Category 2 hurricane, was not forecast to make landfall in the US. However, “storm surge will be accompanied by large waves, leading to significant beach erosion and overwash,” has put beaches in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada, and the US East Coast at risk. The National Weather Service cautioned that waves could exceed 10 feet in the region. Coastal flood warnings were in place for parts of Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and along the bay south of the York River. Erin had earlier intensified to Category 5 on Saturday before weakening to Category 3 on Sunday morning. It regained strength later that day, with satellite data and a US Air Force Hurricane Hunter mission showing improved organization. Forecasters expected slow strengthening through Thursday night. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday to mobilise resources and assist evacuations in the Outer Banks. Low-lying tourist areas were already being cleared. Precautionary measures extended to the Northeast. New York Mayor Eric Adams announced all city beaches would remain closed for swimming on Wednesday and Thursday “due to dangerous riptides from Hurricane Erin.” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also urged residents and visitors to avoid the ocean, citing hazardous currents and high surf. On Tuesday, Erin’s slow northward movement had already unleashed rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast, triggering dozens of water rescues, swimming bans, and beach closures.
