Hurricane Erin Closes Beaches, Triggers Outer Banks Evacuations

Hurricane Erin, a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds, is impacting the U.S. East Coast from Florida to New England, causing beach closures, evacuation orders, and dangerous surf conditions. The storm’s tropical storm winds stretch up to 265 miles from its center, producing life-threatening rip currents, high surf, and large swells expected through Friday. New York City and Long Island beaches have been closed to swimming, while some New Jersey and Delaware coastal areas have restricted ocean access. Nantucket Island could see waves exceeding 10 feet, but the greatest threat is in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where mandatory evacuations have been ordered due to a potential 15-foot storm surge. Although forecasters expect the hurricane’s center to remain offshore, its outer edges will bring hazardous weather along the coast. The storm has already affected the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the Bahamas, with tropical storm watches issued for Virginia, North Carolina, and Bermuda.