WASHINGTON: Hurricane Erin lashed North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Wednesday evening, forcing evacuations and beach closures as the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of “life-threatening surf and currents” along much of the US East Coast.
A storm surge warning was issued from Cape Lookout to Duck, NC, while a tropical storm warning stretched from Beaufort Inlet to Chincoteague, Virginia, covering the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. Highway 12 in the Outer Banks was shut as waves battered coastal roads.
At 8 pm ET, the NHC said Erin’s hurricane-force winds extended 105 miles from its eye, with tropical-storm winds reaching 265 miles. Though not forecast to make US landfall, Erin — currently a Category 2 storm — was expected to drive 10-foot waves, storm surge, and “significant beach erosion and overwash” from the Bahamas to Atlantic Canada.
Key developments:
- Outer Banks evacuations underway; NC Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency.
- NY and NJ closed beaches; officials warned against entering the ocean.
- Coastal flood warnings issued for Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and parts of the Chesapeake Bay.
- Erin earlier peaked as a Category 5 hurricane on Saturday, later weakening before regaining strength.
The storm’s slow northward churn has already unleashed riptides, rough surf, and dozens of water rescues along the East Coast. Forecasters warned Erin may strengthen further into Thursday night.
