Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Raleigh, NC (WNN)—On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency. The state is preparing for Hurricane Erin's effects and is sending resources and teams to support the coastal areas.
In a press release on Tuesday, Stein said, "Hurricane Erin will bring threats of coastal flooding, beach erosion, and dangerous surf conditions. "North Carolinians along the coast should get prepared now, ensure their emergency kit is ready, and listen to local emergency guidelines and alerts in the event they need to evacuate."
Hurricane Erin is expected to grow larger and stronger as it shifts north. The forecasts suggest it could lead to beach erosion, with wave heights between 15 and 20 feet. There's also a risk of coastal flooding that could affect roads, buildings, vehicles, and dangerous rip currents throughout the week. Tropical storm-force winds will likely hit the coast, particularly the Outer Banks, around Wednesday and Thursday.
The magnitude of the storm surge, waves, and winds on the Outer Banks and southeastern Virginia will depend on how close to the coast Hurricane Erin tracks. Erin's eye is forecast to pass about 200 miles offshore of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Thursday afternoon.
Because of the distance, some outer banks will bring rain, but not enough to lead to significant freshwater flooding. Still, other impacts along the coast can be substantial, dangerous, and damaging.
Local leaders have issued mandatory evacuation orders for areas in the Outer Banks, including Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, to ensure everyone's safety from the looming storm. Emergency shelters are now open and have spots for pets, too. Volunteers and first responders are on standby in case things get dicey.
Officials warn that flooding, overwash, and storm surge could seriously affect some roads and infrastructure in the barrier island communities. This could make it hard to get around and could complicate emergency response efforts.
At a news conference on Wednesday morning, August 20, 2025, North Carolina Public Safety Director William Ray said: "If you've been asked to evacuate, please do so now, before conditions deteriorate and roads become impassable. Regardless of the track of the center of the storm, dangerous conditions can be felt far from the eye, especially with a system as large as Erin."
Beaches along the East Coast are shutting down due to the risky surf and life-threatening rip currents caused by Hurricane Erin's expansive winds. Public safety officials from North Carolina to New York have issued swimming bans and no-entry warnings as the storm moves offshore.
In North Carolina, lifeguards have already had to rescue numerous people from the rough waters. Both locals and visitors are being advised to stay away from the ocean until the storm passes. The National Weather Service has pointed out that the rip currents linked to Erin can shoot out at speeds that outpace even Olympic swimmers, making them a danger for anyone caught in them.
As Hurricane Erin looms over the Carolina coast, a North Carolina filmmaker turns the lens toward Carteret County, a community defined by its closeness to the water and its vulnerability to it. The short documentary shows that preparing for hurricanes isn't just about extreme storms; it is part of a daily life shaped by persistent flooding.
Twice a day, the tides rise and flood, corroding roads and straining infrastructure long before a hurricane makes landfall. Gordy Eure, a highway maintenance engineer, describes how the constant struggle against water jeopardizes US 70, the county's evacuation route. This highlights the critical need for preparation before hurricanes like Erin hit coastal communities.
Through 'All Sides of the Road,' filmmaker Carter Crisco captures a community living in constant dialogue with the surrounding water. In Carteret County, life and survival mean navigating not just the storms that make headlines, but the daily floods that quietly shape every road, every home, and every decision.
North Carolina is really feeling the impact of the storm, but the effects are being felt all the way from Florida to the northeastern U.S., with rough seas and warnings about rip currents. Emergency teams in those areas are preparing for some harsh conditions in the days ahead.
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