Hurricane Erin, a large category 2 storm with winds reaching 105mph, was slowly moving away from the North Carolina coast on Thursday morning after hitting the state’s Outer Banks with intense winds, large waves, storm surge and flooding.
While Erin is not expected to make landfall, weather officials warn that the storm’s effects are not over yet. Coastal communities up and down the east coast are bracing as storm conditions continue as life-threatening rip currents, flooding and dangerous surf, are forecast in some areas through Friday.
On Wednesday, North Carolina’s governor, Josh Stein, declared a state of emergency, deploying emergency resources and personnel to assist coastal communities.
Mandatory evacuation orders were issued both for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, with more than 2,000 people evacuated.
By Wednesday evening, Highway 12 on Hatteras Island was closed due to worsening weather conditions. Photos show sections of the highway completely submerged in water. As of Thursday morning, the road remained closed.
Other videos shared earlier this week showed powerful waves slamming into homes along the Outer Banks.
The National Weather Service warned early on Thursday that parts of coastal North Carolina could continue to face flooding, storm surge and high surf throughout the day on Thursday and into Friday. Tropical storm conditions are also expected along parts of the Virginia coastline on Thursday.
On Thursday morning, the NWS showed a video from Virginia Beach showing powerful waves.
A storm surge warning remains in effect for parts of North Carolina, where water levels could rise two to four feet above ground level in some areas.
“Numerous roads will likely be impassable under several feet of water and vehicles will likely be submerged” the agency said on Thursday morning. “Consider moving cars to higher ground.”
The NWS office in Newport and Morehead City, North Carolina, said on Thursday morning that the “impacts will peak today” with the worst conditions expected along the Outer Banks during Thursday’s high tide cycles.
“Significant impacts could linger into Friday due to lingering powerful swell energy and elevated tides/water levels,” the agency warned.
Tropical storm conditions are expected in parts of Bermuda on Thursday and tropical storm-force wind gusts are possible across parts of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coasts through early Friday, per weather officials.
Hazardous beach conditions are also forecast up and down the entire east coast over the next several days, with forecasters warning of life-threatening rip currents and strong surf.
Authorities from several states along the east coast have urged residents to stay out of the water, and in some states and cities, including New York City, the beaches have been closed to swimming.
Coastal flood alerts remain in place on Thursday morning for low-lying coastal areas across the east coast, including sections of Delaware and New Jersey.
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