East Coast Braces for Hurricane Erin’s Punch
The Atlantic shoreline is on high alert as Hurricane Erin churns northward, whipping up dangerous surf, life-threatening rip currents, and the risk of flooding from Virginia all the way up to New England.
While the storm isn’t expected to make landfall, its reach is already causing chaos for coastal communities.
Warnings Stretch Across Multiple States
On Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a series of coastal flood warnings and advisories for Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Long Island, New York.
Residents are being urged to prepare for 1 to 3 feet of coastal inundation, especially during high tide.
Meteorologists warn that roads could be washed out, homes and businesses in low-lying areas may take on water, and fragile beaches could suffer major erosion.
Dangerous Surf and Rip Currents
Erin’s power is being felt far beyond its center.
The storm is driving massive waves between 8 and 16 feet, with warnings of rip currents strong enough to sweep even experienced swimmers out to sea.
The NWS has stressed that swimming is absolutely off limits until conditions improve.
“The surf will be extremely dangerous for everyone,” officials said, advising people to stay out of the water and off flooded roads.
Outer Banks Take the First Hit
Although Erin remains offshore, North Carolina’s Outer Banks bore the brunt of the storm early Thursday.
Tens of thousands were evacuated from barrier islands as surges of 2 to 4 feet pushed water inland.
Some areas saw waves as high as 20 feet crashing ashore, forcing closures and cutting off access to vulnerable communities.
As of early Thursday morning, Erin’s center was located about 200 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras.
Winds extended up to 320 miles from the center, brushing against parts of North Carolina and Virginia.
Flooding Threat Along the Mid-Atlantic
From Virginia Beach to Ocean City, Maryland, residents are bracing for heavy flooding during high tide.
Forecasts predict waves up to 14 feet, strong rip currents, and enough surge to close roads and damage homes along the shoreline.
The Chesapeake Bay could rise as much as three feet in some areas, while New Jersey and Delaware are expected to face up to two feet of flooding by Thursday night.
New Jersey on Alert
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy addressed residents earlier this week, warning of strong rip currents and the dangers of complacency.
He pointed out that the state has already suffered drowning incidents this summer in Seaside Heights and Belmar.
“We are worried, therefore, in a big way, about human nature and complacency,” Murphy said, urging beachgoers to stay cautious even if skies look calm.
New England Feels the Impact
Farther north, Long Island, Cape Cod, and coastal New England are all under high surf advisories.
Waves of up to 16 feet could erode dunes, flood roads, and overwhelm fragile barrier beaches.
Though Erin will likely stay well south of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland as it tracks offshore into the weekend, its waves will continue pounding the coastline, creating treacherous seas.
What Residents Should Do
Officials across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast are reminding people to avoid unnecessary travel through flood-prone areas and to heed local warnings.
The advice is simple but urgent: don’t drive around barricades, stay out of the surf, and take steps to secure property before high tide peaks.
