North Carolina and the rest of the US East Coast are bracing themselves for hazardous surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding as Hurricane Erin charges its way across the Atlantic. The Category 2 hurricane, with top winds of 105 mph (168 km/h), is not predicted to hit land, but the forecasters are warning of extensive impacts along the coast.
The hurricane has already pounded the Caribbean, soaking Puerto Rico, and is advancing northward, with tropical storm-force winds radiating 230 miles out from its center. The officials predict the storm will strengthen further as it makes its way up to the East Coast.
Outer Banks on High Alert
The Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands along North Carolina, are one of the regions that will see the worst of it. Governor Josh Stein called on residents to prepare now, highlighting the threat of life-threatening currents.
“It’s a serious storm,” Stein said Wednesday at a news conference. “No one should be in the ocean.”
Authorities have sent three rapid-water rescue units and 200 National Guard soldiers, with boats, planes, and vehicles, to help residents in impacted communities.
Mandatory Evacuations and Safety Precautions
Evacuations are mandatory for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands because officials expect the main road between them and other islands to become impassable. Governor Stein urged residents to comply with evacuations, saying they should “take action now before it’s too late.”
No-swimming advisories have been extended north through New Jersey and Delaware with meteorologists warning of wave heights of up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) and flooding that threatens to leave some roadways underwater for days.
Previous Impact and Current Risks
At least 60 individuals were rescued from rip currents Tuesday at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, emphasizing the immediate risk presented by the storm. Rip currents that sweep swimmers out to sea are still a threat as Hurricane Erin closes in.
National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that Erin will track between the US East Coast and Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday, with potentially life-threatening coastal flooding. Officials are still closely watching the storm and warn people along the East Coast to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols.
With its unusually massive size and strong winds, Hurricane Erin presents a dire threat to coastal communities. Authorities are calling on residents to board up property, heed evacuation orders, and stay away from the ocean, as they prepare for waves, flooding, and potentially hazardous conditions in the days ahead.
