Hurricane Erin: NJ Announces State Of Emergency, Outer Banks Face Coastal Flooding

Last Updated:August 22, 2025, 03:08 IST

As of Thursday morning, the hurricane was located approximately 285 miles east of Cape Hatteras, according to the NHC.

The storm surge has caused significant damage, breaching protective sand dunes and rendering Highway 12 (Image: Reuters)

Hurricane Erin continues to pose a serious threat along parts of the US East Coast as it tracks northeastward, prompting emergency measures in multiple states. On Thursday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency due to the risk of flash flooding, high surf, and dangerous rip currents.

Although the hurricane has moved away from the coast of North Carolina, the Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an 8 am ET advisory that Category 2 storm conditions still persist along the North Carolina and mid-Atlantic coastline. Erin’s sustained winds have reached nearly 100 miles per hour, with even stronger gusts expected. A storm warning has been issued from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to Chincoteague, Virginia.

As of Thursday morning, the hurricane was located approximately 285 miles east of Cape Hatteras, according to the NHC.

In his official statement, Governor Murphy warned of continued risks in the Garden State. “As the storm moves past New Jersey over the next 24 hours, we are expecting high surf and rip currents, coastal and flash flooding, and a high erosion risk in parts of the state," he said.

Along the Outer Banks of North Carolina, the most severe high tide is expected Thursday evening. The storm surge is forecast to bring inundation levels between 2 and 4 feet, particularly during the high tide cycle. The hurricane is projected to gain speed as it moves further out to sea on Thursday and Friday. It is expected to pass south of Atlantic Canada over the weekend.

Local outlet The Island Free Press, which covers the Outer Banks region, reported “extreme ocean overwash" during Thursday morning’s high tide in northern Buxton, north of Hatteras Village, and northern Ocracoke Island. Floodwaters also inundated parts of Hatteras Village.

More than 2,000 residents and tourists have evacuated from Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, following official orders.

The storm surge has caused significant damage, breaching protective sand dunes and rendering Highway 12, the region’s only main access road, impassable.

Hurricane Erin originated on August 11 from a tropical wave off the Cape Verde Islands, intensifying rapidly and being officially upgraded to hurricane status on August 15. It has since become one of the fastest-intensifying storms of the Atlantic hurricane season.

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