Hurricane Erin is about to unleash the sea on the East Coast

 

What we know

• Storm intensity: Erin is strengthening and is now a 110 mph Category 2 hurricane as it tracks north and nearly parallels the US East Coast.

• Evacuations ordered: North Carolina is under a state of emergency and evacuations have been ordered in parts of the Outer Banks, which will get rocked with storm surge and destructive waves of 20 feet or more later today.

• Sprawling storm: Erin is an unusually large hurricane, making it more capable of delivering dangerous conditions at beaches along much of the East Coast, even though it will stay well offshore.

• Water rescues: Dozens of rip current rescues have been conducted this week in North Carolina alone. Officials all along the East Coast are warning people to stay out of the water.

Now is the time to evacuate, North Carolina officials say

From CNN's Alisha Ebrahimji

North Carolina officials are emphasizing the storm’s dangers and urging those in evacuation zones to make moves before conditions worsen this evening.

And most importantly, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said: “No one should be in the ocean.”

“If you’ve been asked to evacuate, please do so now, before conditions deteriorate and roads become impassible,” state emergency management director William Ray said during the news conference.

Dangerous conditions will be felt regardless of where Erin’s center moves, Ray cautioned, noting “moderate to locally significant impacts” are expected along the coast, peaking Wednesday and Thursday.

“Extremely large, dangerous waves” of around 20 feet and storm surge of up to 4 feet on top of the surf is expected, Ray said, especially along “east and southeast facing beaches and the Outer Banks.”

“Do not drive around barricades and do not drive through flooded waters,” he said. “You cannot judge the depth or speed of flood waters from inside your vehicle.”Read more....