US East Coast braces for Hurricane Erin with evacuations and beach closures
As reported by the Associated Press, authorities ordered mandatory evacuations for parts of the Outer Banks, including Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. More than 1,800 visitors and residents have already left Ocracoke. Bulldozers cleared sand dunes, and pier owners removed planks to reduce potential damage.Local business owners are divided about leaving. 'Some people are evacuating while others are staying put,' said Tommy Hutcherson, who owns a store in Ocracoke.In New Jersey, some towns closed beaches, while Massachusetts' Nantucket Island is expected to see waves topping 10 feet later this week. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged people to stay cautious, reminding them to enjoy the weather but keep out of the water.As of Tuesday, Erin had weakened slightly to a Category 2 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (170 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. It was located about 650 miles southwest of Bermuda. Meteorologists expect the system to grow in size as it tracks east across the Atlantic before turning north.Erin has already battered parts of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, where government services were suspended and residents were told to remain indoors.Scientists say Atlantic hurricanes are more likely to intensify quickly with rising ocean temperatures.- EndsWith inputs from Associated Press
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Hurricane Erin churns northward: Storm alerts expand in North Carolina, Virginia; beaches shut along US East coast
Hurricane Erin continues its slow west-northwest trajectory across the Atlantic Ocean (Pic credit: AP) Hurricane Erin continued its slow march northward on Tuesday, unleashing rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the US East Coast that forced dozens of water rescues, swimming bans, and widespread beach closures. Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2025, was downgraded to a Category 2 storm but remained a powerful system with sustained winds of 100 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). At 11 pm ET, the storm was moving north-northwest at nearly 12 mph, hundreds of miles offshore. The hurricane had earlier exploded to Category 5 strength on Saturday, weakened to Category 3 by Sunday morning, and then regained intensity later in the day. Satellite data and a US Air Force Hurricane Hunter mission indicated the storm was becoming better organised, with slow strengthening expected through Thursday night. Though no landfall was forecast, the NHC warned that Erin's large and expanding wind fields would generate storm-driven waves, coastal erosion and high seas along the Atlantic seaboard. The Outer Banks of North Carolina, a popular vacation destination, was expected to face the worst impact, with significant beach erosion and flooding that could leave roads impassable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Rip currents — narrow, fast-moving channels of water that can drag swimmers away from shore, are responsible for more than 80% of beach rescues in the US. With Erin's impact stretching from South Florida to New England, authorities imposed restrictions to protect beachgoers as life-threatening surf conditions spread northward. The National Weather Service cautioned of storm surge and waves exceeding 10 feet in the region, urging people to stay out of the ocean through at least Thursday. 'The storm surge will be accompanied by large waves, leading to significant beach erosion and overwash, making some roads impassable,' the NHC said in its late-night advisory. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday afternoon to mobilise resources and assist with evacuations in vulnerable parts of the Outer Banks. Evacuations were already underway in some low-lying areas popular with summer tourists. Officials in the Northeast also announced precautionary measures. New York Mayor Eric Adams said all city beaches would be closed for swimming on Wednesday and Thursday 'due to dangerous riptides from Hurricane Erin.' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged residents and visitors to avoid wading or swimming in the ocean, citing hazardous rip currents and high waves.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Erin projected path, hurricane tracker, latest updates: Storm, heavy rains hit North Carolina on Wednesday evening
Hurricane Erin maintained its Category 2 strength early Wednesday morning as North Carolina's coasts prepared for life-threatening coastal flooding, with mandatory evacuations underway for some islands, US authorities said. The storm, which underwent historically rapid intensification and briefly peaked at Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, swamped homes and roads in the US island territory of Puerto Rico. Although its core is projected to remain far offshore, meteorologists are concerned by Erin's large size, with tropical storm-force winds extending hundreds of miles from its core. "Weather conditions expected to deteriorate along the coast of North Carolina by this evening," the National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned in its latest advisory. Hurricane Erin Projected Path, Update by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Erin was located 455 miles (730 kilometers) southeast of North Carolina's Cape Hatteras, with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, and was moving north-northwest, according to the NHC. Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Tuesday evening. "Hurricane Erin will bring threats of coastal flooding, beach erosion, and dangerous surf conditions," Stein said. "North Carolinians along the coast should get prepared now, ensure their emergency kit is ready, and listen to local emergency guidelines," Stein said. Live Events Storm surge warnings were issued for Cape Lookout in North Carlina's southeast further north to the town of Duck, with water levels potentially reaching two to four feet above ground. A broader swath of coastline, from North Carolina to southern Virginia and Bermuda, was under a lower-grade Tropical Storm Watch. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, while Dare and Hyde counties declared local emergencies, according to the governor's office. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 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 that climate change is supercharging tropical cyclones: warmer oceans fuel stronger winds, a warmer atmosphere intensifies rainfall, and higher sea levels magnify storm surge. There is also some evidence, though less certain, that climate change is making hurricanes more frequent. FAQs Q1. What is timespan of Atlantic hurricane season? A1. Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, has entered its historical peak. Q2. Why is Hurricane happening frequently? A2. Scientists say that climate change is supercharging tropical cyclones: warmer oceans fuel stronger winds, a warmer atmosphere intensifies rainfall, and higher sea levels magnify storm surge. There is also some evidence, though less certain, that climate change is making hurricanes more frequent.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Hurricane Erin threatens US East Coast as coastal flooding warning issued. NHC sounds alarm in urgent alert
Hurricane Erin slowly moved northward on Tuesday triggering rough surf and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast. Erin threatened the East Coast and rip currents as the large and growing storm moved on a projected path up the Atlantic Ocean, the National Hurricane Center said. The hurricane isn't expected to make landfall in the United States but people in North Carolina's Outer Banks were warned of possible coastal flooding that triggered evacuation orders. Hurricane Erin: Coastal flood advisory issued Conditions are "expected to deteriorate along the coast of North Carolina by this evening," the center said, adding that people "are cautioned against swimming at most US East Coast beaches due to life-threatening surf and rip currents", CBS News reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Most Beautiful Women in the World Undo ALSO READ: 'Throw it away': US FDA issues urgent recall of 'radioactive' Walmart shrimp. Does it cause cancer? Hundreds of thousands of beachgoing tourists were keeping an eye on the massive hurricane as Erin was expected to produce life-threatening conditions for the Atlantic Coast from central Florida to Canada. The National Hurricane Center urged beachgoers in those areas to follow advice from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon "to assist with the response and to mobilize resources." Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of this year, was downgraded to a Category 2 storm Tuesday morning as it churned over the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean. It previously exploded to a Category 5 on Saturday before weakening to a Category 3 early Sunday morning, then regaining strength again later in the day. It's forecast to retain hurricane strength into the weekend. Live Events It was forecast to threaten the East Coast, Atlantic Canada, the Bahamas and Bermuda with "life-threatening surf and rip currents" over the next several days, according to the hurricane center. Simply put, "Swimming at most US East Coast beaches will remain dangerous over the next few days" due to those life-threatening rip currents, the center said early Wednesday. The National Weather Service advised people in the Outer Banks to stay out of the ocean to avoid deadly surf conditions expected through at least Thursday. Tropical storm conditions were forecast to arrive by Wednesday evening or night, the National Hurricane Center said. ALSO READ: $63 billion in tax relief for America's seniors? Here's when the new changes in Social Security will begin "The storm surge will be accompanied by large waves, leading to significant beach erosion and overwash, making some roads impassible," the hurricane center said in its key messages at 11 p.m. ET. As of 5 a.m. Wednesday, Erin had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and was moving north-northwest at 13 mph. The storm's center was about 555 miles west-southwest of Bermuda and some 455 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Will Erin impact US? Erin isn't forecast to hit the US directly, as per CBS News. The most dangerous conditions are forecast to hit late Wednesday into Thursday, when Erin's center is expected to pass closest to the coast, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters warn that at this time, severe flooding could swamp roads and buildings across the Outer Banks, leaving many highways submerged under several feet of water and impassable for days. ALSO READ: New Covid variant in US linked to pain chest and trouble staying awake: Check symptoms, treatment and prevention tips Mandatory evacuations have already been ordered for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island as authorities brace for the surge. Meanwhile, coastal communities along the Eastern Seaboard will contend with life-threatening rip currents and towering waves reaching 10 to more than 20 feet over the coming days. Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, cautioned that these hazardous conditions could persist across nearly the entire East Coast for much of the week. He urged residents to follow local warnings, stressing, 'It's simply not going to be a safe environment to be in the ocean.' Tropical storm warnings are in place from north of Duck, North Carolina, to the North Carolina–Virginia border, and from Beaufort Inlet to the Virginia line, including Pamlico and Albemarle sounds. A tropical storm watch has also been issued from the Virginia border to Chincoteague, Virginia, as well as for Bermuda. A warning means tropical storm conditions are expected in the designated area, while a watch indicates they are possible.
