Hurricane Erin is battering the US east coast, prompting warnings of life-threatening waves and storm surges. The hurricane, which has rebuilt its inner eye wall, is expected to generate waves of 15 to 20 feet, with North Carolina facing the most severe conditions.
Coastal residents are bracing for a dangerous storm surge of up to 4 feet and severe beach erosion. Authorities have urged people to stay out of the ocean along the entire east coast, as the pounding surf is expected to last for two days or longer.
In New York City, swimming has been banned at beaches on Wednesday and Thursday due to treacherous currents. New Jersey and Delaware have closed beaches from Tuesday, with closures likely extending until Friday or later. The National Weather Service has issued coastal flood watches for Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks are under mandatory evacuation orders and a state of emergency. In Buxton, waves have already swept under beachfront homes and across Highway 12, the main road for Hatteras Island. Ocracoke Island, accessible only by plane or ferry, is also at risk.
Hurricane Erin's rapid intensification ranks it among the fastest-strengthening Atlantic hurricanes on record, highlighting concerns that climate change is fueling more powerful storms.
