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Although the massive hurricane is likely to remain off the North Carolina coast, dangerous surf, strong currents, and ocean overwash are expected along the state’s beaches and islands.
Hurricane Erin grew by 80 mph in just 24 hours from Friday into Saturday, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Flooding is likely at the Outer Banks from Hurricane Erin, although dangerous winds from the storm are forecast to steer clear of the Tar Heel state.
The entire North Carolina coast is forecast to receive impacts from Hurricane Erin.
“The threat for coastal hazards continues to increase — coastal flooding and ocean overwash are likely for portions of N.C. Highway 12,” the National Weather Service in Morehead City said Saturday.
Meanwhile, coastal flooding from high surf is also likely in “areas with vulnerable or non-existent dune structure like those in Buxton and on the north end of Rodanthe,” the Dare County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.
Waves up to 12 feet are forecast along the Outer Banks and N.C. 12 could be “impassible at times,” the weather service said.
The National Weather Service also said Hurricane Erin will likely impact all North Carolina beaches, including New Hanover and Pender counties.
Brunswick County islands such as Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach, have a forecast for breaking waves up to 10 feet on Wednesday.
Flooding and overwash are possible as early as Tuesday but will peak on Wednesday and Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
“For those in areas that routinely see ocean overwash due to no dune between them and the ocean, be ready to protect your property and to move away from the oceanfront,” the sheriff’s office said.
As of Friday, the path from the National Hurricane Center brings Hurricane Erin as close as 330 miles from the North Carolina coast — and as far as 550 miles, according to CBS 17 Chief Meteorologist Wes Hohenstein.
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