Hurricane Erin threatens North Carolina's Outer Banks with storm surge
The National Hurricane Center warned that roads in the low-lying barrier islands may become impassable, with waves as high as 20 feet crashing ashore. The heavy surf is likely to result in significant beach erosion, it said in its 8 a.m. EDT update.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, freeing up state money and manpower to help during the storm and its aftermath.
Tropical storm and storm-surge warnings are in place for other parts of the North Carolina coastline.
Earlier in the week, the coastal counties of Dare and Hyde - which encompass most of the Outer Banks - ordered residents and tourists to evacuate the vulnerable Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, whose populations swell during the summer months.
Local media reported that ferries took more than 2,220 people off Ocracoke, with the final sailing scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Ferries to Hatteras will keep operating as long as conditions allow, ABC News affiliate WCTI reported.
But Chris Styron, manager of the Pony Island Inn on Ocracoke, is ignoring the evacuation orders and staying to watch over the 50-room hotel.
"We're used to storms like this," Styron said. "I'm born and raised here. We're not really worried - it's so far offshore."
The eye of Erin, rated as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h), was expected to move midway between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday as it traveled northward, the NHC said. That trajectory will keep the worst of its winds offshore.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 265 miles (426 km) from the storm's center, with hurricane-force winds extending for 90 miles.
Even so, the NHC warned beachgoers alongmost of the East Coast to stay out of the water because of "life-threatening surf and rip currents."
Along the New Jersey shore, swimming and other water activities were prohibited on beaches from Cape May north to Sandy Hook, with high surf and rip current warnings in effect into Friday, the NWS said. Coastal flooding is expected to peak during high tide on Thursday.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered all city public beaches - including Coney Island and Brighton Beach - to close Wednesday and Thursday.
Fortunately, temperatures in New York were expected to be seasonably cool on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs only reaching 70 F, well below the average of 82 F.
Erin, the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season and the first to attain hurricane status, had strengthened to a Category 5 storm. The last Atlantic storm to reach that intensity was Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Frank McGurty and Mark Porter)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Hurricane Erin threatens North Carolina's Outer Banks with storm surge
(Reuters) -Hurricane Erin, churning north in the Atlantic hundreds of miles offshore, is expected to trigger a dangerous storm surge and tropical storm conditions on Wednesday along North Carolina's Outer Banks and other stretches of the U.S. East Coast. The National Hurricane Center warned that roads in the low-lying barrier islands may become impassable, with waves as high as 20 feet crashing ashore. The heavy surf is likely to result in significant beach erosion, it said in its 8 a.m. EDT update. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, freeing up state money and manpower to help during the storm and its aftermath. Tropical storm and storm-surge warnings are in place for other parts of the North Carolina coastline. Earlier in the week, the coastal counties of Dare and Hyde - which encompass most of the Outer Banks - ordered residents and tourists to evacuate the vulnerable Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, whose populations swell during the summer months. Local media reported that ferries took more than 2,220 people off Ocracoke, with the final sailing scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Ferries to Hatteras will keep operating as long as conditions allow, ABC News affiliate WCTI reported. But Chris Styron, manager of the Pony Island Inn on Ocracoke, is ignoring the evacuation orders and staying to watch over the 50-room hotel. "We're used to storms like this," Styron said. "I'm born and raised here. We're not really worried - it's so far offshore." The eye of Erin, rated as a Category 2 storm with sustained winds of 100 mph (155 km/h), was expected to move midway between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday as it traveled northward, the NHC said. That trajectory will keep the worst of its winds offshore. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 265 miles (426 km) from the storm's center, with hurricane-force winds extending for 90 miles. Even so, the NHC warned beachgoers alongmost of the East Coast to stay out of the water because of "life-threatening surf and rip currents." Along the New Jersey shore, swimming and other water activities were prohibited on beaches from Cape May north to Sandy Hook, with high surf and rip current warnings in effect into Friday, the NWS said. Coastal flooding is expected to peak during high tide on Thursday. New York City Mayor Eric Adams ordered all city public beaches - including Coney Island and Brighton Beach - to close Wednesday and Thursday. Fortunately, temperatures in New York were expected to be seasonably cool on Wednesday and Thursday, with highs only reaching 70 F, well below the average of 82 F. Erin, the fifth named storm of the 2025 Atlantic season and the first to attain hurricane status, had strengthened to a Category 5 storm. The last Atlantic storm to reach that intensity was Hurricane Milton in October 2024. (Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Frank McGurty and Mark Porter)
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
North Carolina coasts prepare for flooding as Hurricane Erin churns offshore
WASHINGTON: North Carolina's coastal communities are preparing for life-threatening flooding as Hurricane Erin maintains its Category 2 strength offshore. The storm underwent historically rapid intensification and briefly peaked at Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale before swamping homes and roads in Puerto Rico. Meteorologists express concern over Erin's large size despite its core remaining far offshore, with tropical storm-force winds extending hundreds of miles from its center. 'Weather conditions expected to deteriorate along the coast of North Carolina by this evening,' the National Hurricane Center warned in its latest advisory. Erin was located 455 miles southeast of North Carolina's Cape Hatteras with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour while moving north-northwest. Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday evening as the hurricane approached. 'Hurricane Erin will bring threats of coastal flooding, beach erosion, and dangerous surf conditions,' Stein stated. 'North Carolinians along the coast should get prepared now, ensure their emergency kit is ready, and listen to local emergency guidelines.' Storm surge warnings cover areas from Cape Lookout to Duck with water levels potentially reaching two to four feet above ground. A broader Tropical Storm Watch extends from North Carolina to southern Virginia and Bermuda as the storm progresses. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands while Dare and Hyde counties declared local emergencies. The Atlantic hurricane season has entered its historical peak period running from June 1 to November 30. Scientists attribute the intensification of tropical cyclones to climate change, noting that warmer oceans fuel stronger winds and higher sea levels magnify storm surge. There is also some evidence, though less certain, that climate change is making hurricanes more frequent despite this season's relatively quiet start with just four named storms so far. – AFP
Barnama
13 hours ago
- Barnama
Vietnamese Travellers Increase Usage Of AI In Their Travel Plans
AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters and robot hand miniature are seen in this illustration, taken on June 23, 2023. -- Photo by REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo HO CHI MINH CITY, Aug 20 (VNS/VNA) -- Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of daily life for Vietnamese travellers who are incorporating AI into their future travel plans. The Global AI Sentiment Report by revealed that 99 per cent of Vietnamese consumers express excitement about AI, 86 per cent are familiar with the technology, and 99 per cent want to use AI in their future travel plans, Vietnam news agency reported. While many embrace AI's potential, some approach it with caution, underscoring the need for responsible implementation that balances opportunity with consumer trust. bootstrap slideshow These new insights and perspectives will help shape the next chapter of AI in travel and beyond. Drawing on insights from over 37,000 consumers across 33 markets, including Vietnam, the research explores how people are using, trusting, and responding to AI in everyday life and travel. new research also identifies distinct segments among consumers based on how they feel about AI. Almost half of Vietnamese travellers are AI enthusiasts, intrigued by what AI can do, while 28 per cent are AI advocates who actively support its benefits and responsible adoption. This optimism comes from the belief that AI will make life easier, save time and effort, expand learning opportunities, and enhance productivity. AI is now a big part of daily life for Vietnamese travellers as 99 per cent use AI-powered search, 92 per cent use streaming recommendations, and 95 per cent engage with generative AI tools. Yet, the lack of a human touch generates doubts with 27 per cent who find AI impersonal.
