Critical HLS Hurricane/Tropical Local Statment — Wed Aug 20, 2025 5:09 PM

HLSMHX
NCZ047-196-203>205-210500-

Hurricane Erin Local Statement Advisory Number 38
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  AL052025
453 PM EDT Wed Aug 20 2025

This product covers Eastern North Carolina

**OUTER BANDS OF LARGE HURRICANE ERIN HAVE BEGUN TO IMPACT EASTERN
NORTH CAROLINA**


NEW INFORMATION
---------------

* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - None

* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
    - A Storm Surge Warning and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect
      for East Carteret, Hatteras Island, Northern Outer Banks, and
      Ocracoke Island
    - A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Mainland Dare

* STORM INFORMATION:
    - About 300 miles south-southeast of Buxton NC or about 300 miles
      southeast of Morehead City NC
    - 31.2N 73.6W
    - Storm Intensity 110 mph
    - Movement North or 360 degrees at 14 mph

SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------

Hurricane Erin has maintained strength since the previous update.
Erin will continue to track northwards this evening before turning
to the north and east Thursday with the system making its closest
point of approach to the Outer Banks and North Carolina coast
Thursday morning. While the center of Erin is expected to remain a
couple hundred miles off the North Carolina coast, significant
coastal impacts are expected across eastern North Carolina due to
its large size into the end of the week.

Moderate to significant storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet above
ground level is expected along the oceanside north of Cape Lookout,
resulting in a significant threat to life and property. The worst
impacts will likely be felt along the Outer Banks on Ocracoke and
Hatteras Island. This is expected to be a prolonged duration event
which is already ongoing and will peak tonight through Thursday,
then gradually improve Friday into the weekend. Portions of NC-12
and secondary roads along the Outer Banks, in particular on Hatteras
and Ocracoke Islands, will likely be impassable or inaccessible
through much of this week due to significant ocean overwash. Minor
to locally moderate inundation of 1 to 3 ft will also be possible
for soundside areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound on
Thursday and possibly into Friday.

Erin is expected to increase in size over the next day or so and
tropical storm force winds will be felt tonight into Thursday for
eastern coastal areas, particularly on the Outer Banks.

Strong rip currents are expected along area beaches through the
week. Extensive beach erosion is also likely due to strong long
period waves as high as 10 to 20 feet in the surf zone, highest on
the Outer Banks.

Very dangerous marine conditions will continue for the coastal
waters, sounds and rivers, with gusty winds and dangerous seas.
This will create treacherous conditions for mariners.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------

* SURGE:
Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across
the Outer Banks from Duck to Cape Lookout. Remain well away from
life-threatening surge having possible significant impacts. If
realized, these impacts include:
    - Areas of inundation with storm surge flooding accentuated by
      waves. Damage to several buildings, mainly near the coast.
    - Sections of near-shore escape routes and secondary roads become
      weakened or washed out, especially in usually vulnerable low
      spots.
    - Major beach erosion with heavy surf breaching dunes. Strong and
      numerous rip currents.
    - Moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers.
      Several small craft broken away from moorings, especially in
      unprotected anchorages.

Potential impacts from the main surge event are also now unfolding
across the Crystal Coast. Remain well away from locally
hazardous surge having possible limited impacts.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* WIND:
Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across
the Outer Banks southward to Cape Lookout, and adjacent coastal
communities on Pamlico and Albemarle Sound. Remain well sheltered from hazardous
wind having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored
      mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
    - Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or
      uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are
      shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
    - A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban
      or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on
      bridges and other elevated roadways.
    - Scattered power and communications outages.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

* FLOODING RAIN:
Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across
Coastal Eastern North Carolina. Remain well guarded against locally
hazardous flood waters having possible limited
impacts. If realized, these impacts include:
    - Ponding of water on roadways may cause instances of localized
      flooding.
    - Up to 1 inch of rain is possible tonight into Thursday,
      especially where heavier rain bands develop near the coast.

Elsewhere across Eastern North Carolina, little to no impact is
anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------

* EVACUATIONS:
Follow the advice of local officials.

* OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for
updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a
battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy.

Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose
power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and
check-ins.

Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or
videos.

Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to
fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as
flooding is not a concern.

If you are prone to flooding or in an area under a storm surge watch
or warning, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic
rise in water levels.

* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org

NEXT UPDATE
-----------

The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Newport/Morehead City NC around 11 PM EDT, or sooner if
conditions warrant.

$$