Tourists Rush to Leave
Hurricane Erin has forced vacationers to cut short their trips on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, even though the hurricane is forecast to stay offshore. The storm swept through parts of the Caribbean on Monday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
Officials ordered evacuations on several barrier islands along the coast, warning of dangerous rip currents and waves reaching 15 feet (4.6 meters). On Ocracoke Island, both residents and tourists spent hours waiting at the ferry terminal — the only exit apart from flights.
Forecast and Warnings
Forecasters expect Erin to turn north and away from the U.S. East Coast. Still, the hurricane is projected to strengthen in the coming days, producing rough seas and tropical-force winds along the coastal islands, according to Dave Roberts from the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Current Storm Status
Erin strengthened to a Category 4 storm on Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph), impacting the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the southeastern Bahamas. Local authorities suspended services on three islands and advised residents to stay indoors.
As of Monday afternoon, the hurricane was about 140 miles (220 kilometers) north of Grand Turk Island and roughly 850 miles (1,370 kilometers) southeast of Cape Hatteras.
Outer Banks Prepare for Impact
Coastal flooding is expected along North Carolina’s Outer Banks from Tuesday through Thursday. Evacuations on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands come during peak tourist season, on these narrow, low-lying barrier islands that are especially susceptible to storm surges.
Last year, Hurricane Ernesto remained far offshore from the U.S. East Coast but still generated high surf and caused coastal damage.
