Outer Banks Vacation Derailed By Hurricane Erin

What was supposed to be a last-minute beach getaway turned into an emotional scramble for safety when a Virginia family was forced to abandon their vacation rental as Hurricane Erin triggered mandatory evacuations along parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Victoria Murray, who traveled from Edinburg, Virginia, with her husband and two young children, said they had only just unloaded their car when the alert came through.

“We had just walked in and my husband unloaded everything, brought it all up the stairs to the top level, and then our phones — that alarm sound comes off,” Murray said. “I just look at the phone and my heart sinks. I broke down crying a little bit because it was so emotional. You plan this trip, you buy the groceries, you do all of it, just to come in and it’s pulled out from under you.”

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

The Murrays had booked their trip to the Outer Banks just days earlier.

“It was actually very last minute,” Murray explained. “We thought it would be good and safe to book.”

(MORE: Hurricane Hunters Fly Into Erin’s Eye)

But once they arrived, the reality hit hard. Their 3-year-old daughter Ruth, who turns 4 in two weeks, was especially heartbroken.

“She’s crying, screaming, she doesn’t want to go home. We just got here, she doesn’t want to get back in the car,” Murray recalled.

Meanwhile, 6-month-old Joshua was blissfully unaware of the chaos.

“He doesn’t know what’s happening. He’s just along for the ride at this point.”

(MORE: Dozens Rescued From Hurricane Erin Rip Currents)

The family faced a tough decision: drive all the way home or try to find another safe spot nearby.

“We knew we did not want to stay and risk it, especially having little ones,” Murray said.

Instead of cutting the trip short, they found a new rental in Kill Devil Hills, about an hour and a half north.

“We talked to several of the locals, and they all said they didn’t think they would evacuate here. So we’re prepared for wind, we’re prepared for rain, we know we’re probably gonna lose some beach days."

(MORE: Do You Have These Storm Prep Essentials?)

That determination, Murray said, comes from wanting to give their children the memories they had been looking forward to.

“Vacation is really important to us. We’re never going to get our kids back at these ages again.” she said.

The family also felt the sting of online criticism after sharing their story.

“There’s been a lot of people who are like, ‘Well, why would you come when there’s been a hurricane? Have you watched the weather?’” Murray said. “And I think that’s valid, but I also think people need to remember, we saved for this vacation. This is our only vacation time and if it’s gone, it’s gone," she added, "Not everybody gets their money back.”

For now, the Murrays are riding out the storm in Kill Devil Hills, with groceries in hand and hopes of salvaging a few beach days before heading back home.

“We’re happy with our decision,” Murray said. “I think we’re gonna be OK. We’re just prepared for whatever this storm may bring.”

Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities.