Hurricane Erin, a Category 4 storm, is expected to stay offshore. The storm will bring serious impacts to North Carolina’s coast this week.
Hurricane Erin: Key takeaways
- Coastal flooding may begin as early as Tuesday, peaking Wednesday and Thursday. A flood watch is in effect for the entire coastline.
- The biggest impact is along the coastline, especially the Outer Banks. No local impact is expected.
- Tropical storm watch issued at 5 p.m. Monday from Beaufort Inlet to Duck, including Pamlico Sound. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, usually within two days.
- Storm surge watch issued at 5 p.m. Monday from Cape Lookout to Duck.
- Ocracoke Island (Hyde County) and Hatteras Island (Dare County) are under mandatory evacuations.
- N.C. Highway 12 in the Outer Banks could be impassable due to erosion and overwash.
- A state of emergency is in place for Hyde and Dare counties.
- The town of Wrightsville Beach has issued a no-swimming advisory for Tuesday through Friday due to strong rip currents and large waves from Hurricane Erin.
- Lifeguards at Wrightsville Beach reported between 60 to 70 rip current rescues on Monday.
- The Surf City Fire Department reported 15 rip current rescues on Monday.
- Camp Lejeune leaders will temporarily close Onslow Beach at noon Tuesday due to dangerous rip currents, high surf and other anticipated weather effects from Hurricane Erin.
The 8 p.m. advisory shows the storm with 130-mph winds, down from 140-mph winds with the 5 p.m. advisory.
Erin is roughly 805 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras and moving northwest at 10 mph.
By the time the storm gets closer to North Carolina midweek, Erin could be Cat. 2, but the giant storm is expected to have major impacts along the coast.
Flooding, erosion expected at NC coast
Although Erin’s center is forecast to remain offshore, life-threatening rip currents, coastal flooding, overwash and extremely dangerous surf conditions are likely for the coast. Extensive beach erosion is likely, with waves as high as 15 to 20 feet possible.
Most North Carolina beaches are likely to see some impacts from Erin, but WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said the storm will especially impact the Outer Banks beaches, which “stick out” into the ocean and typically “bear the brunt” of tropical systems.
Although Erin will weaken, the storm is expected to increase in size as tropical storm-force winds reach our coast.
Authorities on the Outer Banks aren’t taking any chances. While the storm is expected to stay far from the coast, a state of emergency was issued for all areas of Dare County, and Hatteras Island is under a mandatory evacuation.
Impacts to the coast will begin late Monday, peaking Wednesday and Thursday.
Our southern beaches could experience rough surf, rip currents, and erosion first, and the Outer Banks could see overwash on N.C. Highway 12.
“We expect that there will be times in the next week that N.C. 12 on the north end of Ocracoke will become impassable due to significant ocean overwash,” according to the N.C. Ferry System. “In a worst-case scenario, the highway could be closed for several days. Please heed the evacuation orders and keep you and your family safe.”
“Even though the storm isn’t going to make landfall, it is huge,” Gardner said. “As it moves past our Outer Banks, there certainly could be some issues.”
Impacts are not likely in Triangle, which may not even get rain from the storm.
“It may be a little bit breezy for us Wednesday night,” Gardner said, and temperatures will be slightly cooler.
Bermuda will also feel impacts from Erin this week as the storm moves across the Atlantic. Erin is expected to take a turn north and east, avoiding direct impact with the U.S. coast.
As Erin weakens, it can double or even triple in size. That’s why rough surf will be highly possible across the western Atlantic this week.
The National Hurricane Center said the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda will face a risk of dangerous surf and rip currents across the western Atlantic basin throughout the week.
You’ll likely see 15- to 20-foot waves along the coast.
Around 7 a.m. Thursday, the eye of Hurricane Erin will be about 154.4 miles from the Outer Banks.
The WRAL Severe Weather Center forecast this week includes the chance for afternoon thunderstorms each day, but nothing severe or out of the ordinary for late August.
NC coastal residents brace for impact
Severe weather, particularly during hurricane season, has brought down homes along the Outer Banks. Liz McLaughlin, WRAL’s climate change reporter, said two Rodanthe homes are at risk of collapse as Hurricane Erin stirs dangerous waves toward the Outer Banks, threatening fragile oceanfront properties.
Mark Gray with WM Dunn Construction told WRAL News, “two houses for sure are on the verge of collapse” along G.A. Kohler Court in Rodanthe — the same stretch of shoreline where multiple homes have crumbled into the ocean in recent years.
Tina Bryant, a Nags Head homeowner, told the TODAY Show she is especially worried about this storm.
“We’ve had so many of these in the past,” Bryant said. “We’re expecting between 15 to 40 foot waves on shore … I used to surf a lot, and that kind of stuff is scary.”
Ryan Ellis, science and operations officer at the National Weather Service in Morehead City, told WRAL News his team of meteorologists will brief coastal county leaders on changing conditions throughout the week, holding “multiple briefings multiple times a day.”
“In an area like the Outer Banks, they need more time,” Ellis said. “Make your preparations now, and if you’re in the Outer Banks, now is the time to have your plan of what to do.”
Ellis said the peak of the storm’s coastal impact will be Wednesday and Thursday, but the impacts could last several days.
“We expect Erin to make its closest pass sometime on Thursday … but then those lingering effects can still go on through the rest of the week,” Ellis said. “This entire week is not a time that you want to be out on the beach [or] in the water, and you certainly want to start taking precautions for those areas that we know that are particularly vulnerable.”
Even in areas that aren’t requiring evacuations, Ellis recommends moving vehicles to higher ground.
“We’ve seen in the past they get flooded out pretty easily, so you’re going to want to have a plan in place to move those vehicles to higher ground,” he said.
Kitty Hawk faces a scattered chance of power outage potential on Wednesday and Thursday. Wilmington, Greenville and Norfolk face isolated power outage potential.
Hurricane evacuation routes
People who live at the coast should memorize coastal evacuation plans and traffic routes in case of a severe storm.
North Carolina’s Know Your Zone evacuation tool highlights areas in eastern North Carolina that are most vulnerable to impacts from hurricanes, tropical storms and other hazards. Some low-lying areas are particularly at risk of storm surge and flooding.
The state Department of Transportation gathered a list of highways, ferry routes and secondary routes to remember for evacuating a storm situation at the North Carolina coast. Most of the routes include major roads like Interstate 40, Interstate 587, Highway 70 and Interstate 95.
Read more about what to bring with you if you plan to evacuate.
How to spot, survive a rip current
Tropical systems like Erin can create dangerous conditions at the coast even if they don’t make landfall. Life threatening rip currents are expected the majority of this week. Avoid getting in the water when conditions are rough, and remember the following ocean safety tips.
When at the beach
- Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
- Never swim alone.
- Learn how to swim in the surf. It’s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
- Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
- Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along these structures.
- Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
- Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.
If caught in a rip current
If you see someone in trouble
- Don’t become a victim, too.
- Get help from a lifeguard.
- If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911.
- Throw the rip current victim something that floats – a life jacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
- Yell instructions on how to escape.
- Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.
Prepare your home, family for hurricane season
The time to get flood insurance is before any storm targets North Carolina. Most homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, potentially leaving residents underwater with unexpected bills.
The median annual cost for flood insurance in North Carolina is about $750 per year.
Most flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period to go into effect.
It is also good to have your emergency kit packed – clean water, cash, nonperishable food, batteries and chargers come in handy when a storm knocks out power.
Make sure everyone in the family knows what to do and where to go if a storm comes. This includes making plans for pets.
