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Rhome also cautioned that by midweek, “breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet, plus coastal flooding and storm surge could overwash dune and flood homes, flood roads, and make some communities impassable.”
Local leaders aren’t taking chances. Evacuation orders have already been issued in parts of the Outer Banks, with emergency officials warning that the road connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland could soon be underwater. Residents are being urged to leave while there’s still time.
As of Tuesday morning, Hurricane Erin was packing sustained winds of 115 mph with gusts reaching an incredible 155 mph — a solid Category 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Forecasts project the hurricane will pass between Bermuda and Hatteras Island on Thursday before spinning northeast and back into open waters.
Even before its closest pass, Erin is already causing chaos. On Monday alone, officials in New Hanover County, North Carolina, reported at least 75 rip-current rescues along the southern coast. Wrightsville Beach has now banned swimming through Friday as the rough surf becomes too dangerous.
Vacationers and beachgoers in the Carolinas are being strongly advised to take the warnings seriously. Cape Hatteras National Seashore officials have issued dire alerts, saying this is no time for risk-taking.
“The Coastal Flood Watch indicates that extreme beach erosion and coastal damage is likely along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property. Large, dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures,” the agency posted.
The warning grew even more alarming: “Severe flooding will likely extend inland where there is vulnerable or no protective dune structure, flooding homes and businesses with some structural damage possible. Roads will likely be impassable under several feet of water and vehicles will likely be submerged.”
Officials also cautioned that “life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions are expected, as well as wave action resulting in significant beach erosion. Visitors should stay off the beaches completely and discontinue use of all beach trails and boardwalks beginning Tuesday morning.”
While Erin isn’t forecast to make a direct U.S. landfall, the storm’s size and power prove once again that Americans along the East Coast can’t afford to ignore hurricane warnings. For coastal residents, the danger comes not just from the eye of the storm but from the surge, flooding, and brutal surf that follow in its wake.
