Additional Coverage:
Hurricane Erin Threatens East Coast with Dangerous Surf and Rip Currents; Outer Banks Braces for Impact
Hurricane Erin, a powerful Category 2 hurricane, is churning up dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along the US East Coast as it moves northward, parallel to the coastline. While not expected to make landfall, the storm poses a significant threat to coastal communities, particularly North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Bermuda is also expected to experience hazardous conditions.
Beach closures and water rescues are already underway. Dozens of swimmers were rescued from rip currents in North Carolina on Monday, and several beaches in Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey have prohibited swimming until the threat subsides. Approximately 70 rescues took place at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, which has issued a no-swim advisory through Friday.
A tropical storm warning is in effect from the middle of North Carolina’s coast to Duck, north of Kitty Hawk, indicating the expectation of tropical-storm-force winds within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch extends further north to Cape Charles Light, Virginia.
Dare and Hyde counties, encompassing most of the Outer Banks, have declared states of emergency and issued mandatory evacuations for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Officials warn that Highway 12, the main road connecting the Outer Banks islands, could become impassable due to coastal flooding.
Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson urged residents to heed the evacuation orders, emphasizing the unique dangers posed by Hurricane Erin. The potential for extended flooding and damage to Highway 12 could severely limit emergency response capabilities.
The hurricane rapidly intensified to a Category 5 over the weekend before weakening, but its threat remains substantial. Erin’s outer bands have already impacted Puerto Rico, the southeast Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos, causing flooding, power outages, and airport closures.
The primary threat from Erin comes from its powerful winds, which are expected to generate large waves, dangerous rip currents, and coastal flooding. Storm surge of up to 4 feet is forecast for the Outer Banks, and extensive beach erosion is anticipated. The combination of high tides and large waves could result in significant flooding in low-lying areas.
The National Weather Service has warned of potential severe beach and coastal damage due to waves reaching 20 feet or higher. There are also concerns about the stability of protective sand dunes and the potential collapse of oceanfront homes.
As Erin moves northward, Bermuda is also expected to experience rough seas and potentially tropical-storm-force winds.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic hurricane season is gaining momentum. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two disturbances in the Atlantic with the potential for tropical development.
One system has a medium chance of formation and could approach the Leeward Islands by Friday. The other has a lower chance of development and is expected to move away from land.
The next named storms will be Fernand and Gabrielle.