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While Hurricane Erin still won’t make landfall in the U.S., this monster storm has created life-threatening coastal conditions for the Outer Banks this week, putting homes at risk of being destroyed.
Residents in the North Carolina area are no strangers to dealing with intense hurricane conditions, but with the eye of the storm remaining well out to sea, many hoped the worst would pass over them.
However, the National Weather Service is warning of “extreme beach and coastal damage … resulting in a significant threat to life and property” as tropical storm and storm surge conditions started ramping up Wednesday.
Rodanthe, NC, homes in jeopardy
Since 2020, eleven houses in Rodanthe, NC, have collapsed due to extreme weather, with six of those occurring since May 2024.
Residents are concerned that Hurricane Erin could lead to further collapses. On Aug. 19, Hurricane Erin officially moved into North Carolina’s Outer Banks, unleashing a storm surge that flooded homes and even a motel.
Officials had previously mandated evacuations in Dare County, issuing warnings about perilous winds and escalating water levels. A drone video from FOX Weather Storm Tracker shows monster waves pounding the beach in Rodanthe as Hurricane Erin churns offshore.
But this is just the beginning. Conditions are set to worsen into the evening.
“The storm surge will be accompanied by large waves, leading to significant beach erosion and overwash, making some roads impassable,” the National Hurricane Center said.
Furthermore, officials see the storm, which is still currently a Category 2 hurricane, causing significant damage along the East Coast.
“Moderate to significant storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet above ground level is expected along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property,” the NWS said.
In addition, forecasters said “severe flooding will likely extend inland from the waterfront causing flooding of many homes and businesses with some structural damage possible.”
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Where’s Erin headed next?
The National Hurricane Center said early Wednesday that the storm had reformed an inner eye wall, and while Erin remains a Category 2 storm, a Hurricane Hunter mission is expected to help the center determine if winds have increased in response.
“Erin is a large hurricane and growing,” the weather service added. With that in mind, Hurricane Erin trackers still see the storm remaining largely out at sea, creating mainly coastal issues for the majority of the Northeast.
While the main focus has been North Carolina, neighboring Georgia and South Carolina are expected to be hit with “significant” ocean swells, with breaking waves of 6 feet or higher through Wednesday night, with the period of greatest concern expected during Wednesday night’s high tide.
Elsewhere, in places like New Jersey and Delaware, tropical storm-force gusts are possible along the coast on Thursday, breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet on Wednesday and 7 to 11 feet on Thursday, according to the NHC.
Beach towns in Maryland and New York have closed their public access out of an abundance of caution, in case the storm strengthens as it makes its way north.