North Carolina coasts prepare for flooding as Hurricane Erin churns 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
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
North Carolina braces for massive flooding as Hurricane Erin approaches
WASHINGTON: Hurricane Erin was nearing North Carolina's coast Wednesday, threatening huge waves and flooding as the strengthening Category 2 storm triggered mandatory evacuation orders despite its offshore path. The US state, still reeling from last year's deadly Hurricane Helene, declared an emergency Tuesday as Erin's impacts were predicted to begin from Wednesday evening through Thursday. "Based on the current forecast, we are anticipating coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical storm force winds and tidal and storm surge for much of the state shoreline, especially the Outer Banks, from this evening through Thursday," Governor Josh Stein told reporters. As of Wednesday afternoon, Erin was churning northward some 300 miles southeast of North Carolina, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 mph (175 kph), according to the National Hurricane Centre – with the possibility it could still restrengthen to a major hurricane. Its unusually large size means tropical storm-force winds extend hundreds of miles from its centre, earning it the moniker "Enormous Erin" by hurricane specialist Michael Lowry, who wrote on Substack the US was fortunate to be spared a direct hit. Erin's low pressure of around 940 millibars at its center is "remarkably low" and a more telling indicator of its destructive potential than wind speed, Lowry added. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands. Parts of North Carolina to Virginia were under a tropical storm warning. Stein urged residents to pack enough food, water and supplies to last up to five days – and to safeguard important documents like insurance policies. "We have already pre-positioned three swift water rescue teams and 200 National Guard troops to various locations on the coast, along with boats, high clearance vehicles and aircraft," he added. Highway 12 – which runs through the scenic Outer Banks, a string of low-lying islands and spits already under threat from sea-level rise and erosion – could be left impassable by waves as high as 20 feet (six metres). Last year's Hurricane Helene caused approximately US$60 billion in damage to North Carolina, equivalent to almost two years of the state's budget, said Stein, who criticised what he called inadequate federal assistance from the administration of President Donald Trump. Trump has mused about dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has long been a target of conspiracy theories from the political right. Beyond the flooding risks in North Carolina, nearly the whole of the US East Coast meanwhile is threatened by rip currents, powerful surges that run against the tide. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov 30, has entered its historical peak. Despite a relatively quiet start with just four named storms so far, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration continues to forecast an above-normal season. Scientists say climate change is supercharging tropical cyclones: warmer oceans fuel stronger winds, a warmer atmosphere intensifies rainfall, and higher sea levels magnify storm surge.
The Star
10 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
12 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
