RODANTHE, N.C. – Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph, continued its march up the Atlantic on Thursday, lashing the U.S. East Coast with high surf, rip currents, and flooding. Although the storm is now tracking northeast and slowly drifting away from the shoreline, its broad wind field and massive waves are still pounding coastal communities from the Carolinas to southern New England.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Erin was located about 180 miles east of Cape Hatteras early Thursday, moving at roughly 17 mph. Hurricane-force winds extend outward nearly 50 miles, while tropical storm conditions stretch more than 300 miles from the center. The size of the system means impacts are being felt across multiple states despite the storm not making landfall.
Outer Banks Still In the Crosshairs
North Carolina’s fragile Outer Banks are among the hardest-hit areas. Waves topping 20 feet slammed into Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, while storm surge inundated sections of Highway 12, making travel nearly impossible. Local officials said that several stretches of the barrier islands were impassable and urged residents not to attempt to return until conditions improve.
Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency earlier this week and has deployed the National Guard to assist with rescues and storm response. In Dare County, mandatory evacuation orders remain in place for low-lying areas most prone to flooding. Emergency officials said they have already carried out multiple rescues of residents caught in rising waters.
Dangerous Surf Up and Down the Coast
Erin’s reach has extended far beyond North Carolina. Beach closures and red-flag warnings were posted across Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey. In Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, lifeguards reported dozens of rescues from rip currents on Wednesday alone. Authorities in other states reported similar incidents as inexperienced swimmers underestimated the strength of the surf.
“People often think the storm is far enough offshore to be safe, but these swells are deadly,” said Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service.
The storm is also disrupting travel. Ferry service along parts of the North Carolina coast has been suspended, and airlines warned of delays and cancellations at several East Coast airports as a precaution against shifting weather conditions.
Infrastructure and Economic Impact
Coastal towns are bracing for significant economic fallout. Businesses that rely heavily on late-summer tourism have been forced to close during what is typically one of the busiest weeks of the season. In Kitty Hawk, local shop owners reported boarding up storefronts to guard against flooding and wind damage. Hotel cancellations have surged, leaving small business owners worried about long-term losses.
Officials are also closely monitoring infrastructure, including bridges and causeways that link barrier islands to the mainland. Any long-term closures could delay recovery efforts and strand residents.
Forecast: Erin to Weaken but Still Dangerous
Meteorologists expect Erin to continue weakening as it moves northeast into cooler waters, eventually transitioning into a post-tropical cyclone by the weekend. The storm is forecast to pass well offshore of the Mid-Atlantic and New England, but forecasters caution that dangerous rip currents and coastal flooding will linger through at least Friday.
The remnants of Erin could still have far-reaching effects. Models suggest the system may bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to Atlantic Canada, including Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, before moving into the open ocean.
“When there is flooding, there is great risk of death, and what we don’t want is for people to die,” Gov. Stein warned in a Wednesday briefing, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and remain off flooded roads.
What Residents Should Do
Officials recommend residents along the East Coast continue to monitor official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to affected coastal areas. Power outages remain possible as saturated ground and gusty winds topple trees and power lines. Emergency shelters are open in multiple counties in North Carolina and Virginia, with more expected if conditions worsen further north. For real-time updates, residents should follow the National Weather Service and local emergency management offices, which are issuing frequent advisories on flooding, surf conditions, and wind hazards.