Hurricane Erin Spares Direct U.S. Hit, But Dangerous Impacts Linger On East Coast

Outer Banks under Tropical Storm and Storm Surge warnings as powerful outer bands threaten coastal North Carolina, prompting evacuations and beach closures.

While Hurricane Erin continues to churn harmlessly offshore, its powerful reach is far from benign for the U.S. East Coast. The storm is not forecast to make landfall, but officials are warning of dangerous and potentially life-threatening impacts, particularly along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Outer rain bands from the massive storm are expected to lash the barrier islands, where Tropical Storm Warnings and Storm Surge Warnings remain in effect. The warnings extend from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to the North Carolina-Virginia border, raising concerns about coastal flooding, beach erosion, and powerful rip currents.

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