Description
(TNND) — Evacuations are underway along parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks as Hurricane Erin skirts the Eastern coast, threatening dangerous rip currents and a storm surge over 10 feet.
The National Hurricane Center reported Tuesday morning that Erin had maximum sustained winds of 110 mph and was about 665 miles southwest of Bermuda and 720 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, moving northwest at 7 mph.
Forecasters warned that Erin will fluctuate in strength over the next few days.
A tropical storm warning remained in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands, where government services were suspended, some ports were closed and residents were ordered to stay home.
On North Carolina’s Outer Banks, coastal flooding was expected to begin Tuesday and continue through Thursday.
A State of Emergency was issued for all of Dare County due to forecasted coastal flooding and ocean overwash expectations.
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners came to a similar conclusion Sunday evening, declaring a State of Emergency on Ocracoke Island as of 8 p.m. Sunday. Visitors to the Island were required to evacuate starting at 8 p.m. Monday, and residents had until 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Additionally, a Mandatory Evacuation order was issued for Hatteras Island (Zone A), including Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras. A Visitor Mandatory Evacuation for those areas was in effect as early as 10 a.m. Monday. Residents were required to evacuate no later than 8 a.m. Tuesday.
There are concerns that several days of heavy surf, high winds and waves could wash out parts of the main highway. Some routes could be impassable for days.
Hurricane Erin exploded in strength over the weekend to a Category 5, becoming a rare and “catastrophic” storm as it rapidly powered up from a tropical storm in a single day.
While the hurricane’s center is not expected to hit land, it has threatened to dump flooding rainwater as it continues to grow.
______
Editor's note: The Associated Press and WCTI contributed to this article.
Other Related News
04/09/2026
DOUGLAS Ga WALB - On this weeks Restaurant Roundup Pearl A Cottage Makery in Douglas which...
04/09/2026
ALBANY Ga WALB - A man with South Georgia ties is playing a key role in one of NASAs most ...
04/09/2026
CORRECTION WALB originally reported that the subjects of this story were a father and daug...
04/08/2026
CRISP COUNTY Ga WALB - The City of Cordele posted an announcement to Facebook on Wednesday...
04/08/2026
