Tropical Wave Could Be Next Tropical Depression

As Hurricane Erin grazed U.S. East Coast, we've already seen the large waves and coastal flooding in North Carolina's Outer Banks, but this large storm's trek northeast has also pushed ocean swells high onto beaches along New York's Fire Island and the Jersey Shore.

Our meteorologists have a full rundown of where Erin is now, where it's headed today and when you can expect the peak of impacts.

If you’re in any of the risk areas along the East Coast we hope you’re staying safe and we’d love for you to send us your photos and video of Erin’s impacts in your areas. Text us at (404) 793-7182, include your name, where your photos or video were taken and any other info you’d like us to share.

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(02:54 p.m. EDT) Erin Seen From Mount Washington

From meteorologist intern Hayden Marshall:

Looking south from Mount Washington, New Hampshire (elevation: 6288 feet), you can see the anticyclonic motion of high-level cirrostratus clouds as they traverse east toward the coast. Anticyclonic, or clockwise, motion around the top of a tropical cyclone can indicate efficient ventilation of the tropical cyclone and spreading of air aloft. Erin’s eye is just over 500 miles from Mt. Washington.

(02:29 p.m. EDT) From New Jersey To Nantucket

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

Hurricane Erin is kicking up wind and waves up and down the East Coast.

Footage shows rolling surf in Brant Beach, New Jersey:

As far north as Nantucket, Massachusetts, high tide is experiencing the Hurricane Erin effect:

(02:15 p.m. EDT) Find Out When High Tide Happens Next

From managing editor Sean Breslin:

There’s another high tide coming this evening for the East Coast, and that likely means more flooding for vulnerable areas. NOAA has a great website where you can look up each spot along the coast and get useful tidal information — check it out here.

(02:01 p.m. EDT) Big Waves In Maryland

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

We’re now seeing some impressively large waves stirred up by Hurricane Erin off the coast of Maryland. This footage was captured this morning in Ocean City, where the beaches are closed due to dangerous rip currents and high surf.

(01:42 p.m. EDT) Sea Turtle Nests Washed Away

Some sad news from the Outer Banks, where the Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol showed how waves from Hurricane Erin have washed away multiple sea turtle nests.

The group says state conservation guidelines prevent them from digging up the nests, plus North Carolina doesn’t have the facilities to house them all.

Volunteers are monitoring the nests, and they’ve asked the public to stay away because the turtle eggs still have a shot at surviving the washout.

(01:24 p.m. EDT) A Note About The ‘Nothing’ Storm

From lead editor Jenn Jordan:

This week, I’ve heard a lot of talk about how Hurricane Erin is turning out to be “a whole lot of nothing.” From grocery checkout clerks to hosts on the radio, everyone seems a little disappointed that Erin’s impacts aren’t a more widespread concern for parts of the U.S. Allow me to get on my soapbox.

This is a good thing. Advances in forecasting technology allowed our meteorologists and those at the National Hurricane Center to track this storm for nearly two weeks. Among other things, that means:

• Residents had all the information needed ahead of time to avoid panic.
• Local governments could make smart decisions about evacuations.
• The impacts being felt now (and there are impacts) were largely expected and prepared for.

We’re also not out of the woods yet. Today will likely be Erin’s most impactful day for parts of the East Coast, as the system makes its closest pass to the states. So keep an eye on our coverage and maintain that cautious optimism!

(12:54 p.m. EDT) Striking Drone Footage From The Outer Banks

From Morning Brief writer Wyatt Williams:

As we continue to look at Erin’s impacts from every angle, this drone footage from North Carolina puts into perspective the teetering edge the Outer Banks is on right now.

(12:28 p.m. EDT) Sebastian, We Hope The Fish Are Biting Today

From managing editor Sean Breslin:

Because let’s be honest, this is not exactly ideal fishing weather.

(12:00 p.m. EDT) Erin’s Winds Take Down Trees In New Jersey

This street in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, was shut down this morning, after strong winds from Hurricane Erin town down multiple trees and power lines. Crews were working to clear the debris in the borough, about 12 miles outside of New York City.

(11:40 a.m. EDT) ‘Enjoy This Beautiful Weather But Stay Out Of The Water’

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Rip currents from Hurricane Erin remain a danger along much of the East Coast today, and New York City has once again closed its beaches to swimming for the day. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also ordered several state beaches on Long Island to prohibit swimming through the day.

Several New Jersey beaches will also remain off limits. As New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said earlier this week, "Enjoy the shore, enjoy this beautiful weather but stay out of the water."

(11:10 a.m. EDT) One Lone Rodanthe House Resisting Erin

From producer Carmen Molina:

Rick Shaftan, a Rodanthe, North Carolina resident, provided live coverage via his social media accounts earlier today, sharing his perspective of the rough tide from Hurricane Erin beating this home, which is among several on the verge of collapse.

(10:49 a.m. EDT) Virginia Beach Surfing Competition Suspended

Surfers from dozens of countries won’t be getting in the waters off Virginia Beach to compete today. The annual East Coast Surfing Championships called off today’s heats because of Hurricane Erin.

This video from the First Street Jetty shows why organizers want everyone to stay out of the water.

Crews took down the competition setup along the beach yesterday, with plans to rebuild it on Friday and get back to the competition.

(10:26 a.m. EDT) Massive Hurricane Erin As Seen From Space

From digital meteorologist Caitlin Kaiser:

NOAA’s GOES East Satellite captured a striking view of Erin from above as it began to pull away from the East Coast this morning. The hurricane is expected to speed up while taking a northeastward curve today. Though the storm is forecast to gradually weaken, it will bring dangerous high surf and life-threatening rip currents to the East Coast through the weekend.

(10:00 a.m. EDT) Morning Update On Closures Along NC-12

North Carolina transportation officials say multiple sections of this crucial highway in and out of the Outer Banks are closed this morning. They shared this update in a Facebook post:

Current road conditions:

Kitty Hawk – No issues, minor blown sand, roadway is passable.

Pea Island – Some overnight overwash and deep blown sand on roadway. Section closed.

Buxton North End – Overwash occurred most of last night and during this morning's tide. Sand and standing water on roadway. Section closed.

Hatteras – Major overwash with dune breaches at yesterday high tide. Deep sand, water, and debris covering the roadway. Section closed.

Ocracoke – Major overwash. Large sections of the protective dune are flat. Section is closed.

Rodanthe – Significant overwash on several secondary sections.

(09:39 a.m. EDT) How Close Was Erin?

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

It turned out, Erin’s center came as close as 200 miles east-southeast of Hatteras, North Carolina, as of 2 a.m. ET today.

But given Erin’s tropical storm force winds were up to 480 miles wide, it is bringing tropical storm conditions to coastal North Carolina and the Virginia Tidewater today, not to mention coastal flooding, high surf and rip currents along the East Coast.

A hurricane — especially one this large — doesn’t have to make landfall to be impactful.

(09:20 a.m. EDT) Massive Swells At Popular Florida Pier

A Florida meteorologist shared some impressive sunrise video of huge ocean swells crashing onto Juno Beach. The waves popped out a few boards of the Juno Pier, which remains open right now.

(09:00 a.m. EDT) Another High Tide

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

We’re at another high tide along the East Coast and, as you can see in the graphic from the National Weather Service below, there are three more high tides after this morning where coastal flooding is expected in the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina.

This evening’s high tide is the one where flooding may be greatest from North Carolina to the Jersey shore, as northeast winds from soon departing Hurricane Erin keep pushing water to the coast.

(08:44 a.m. EDT) Will NC-12 Hold?

From managing editor Sean Breslin:

That’s the million-dollar question along North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The highway known as NC-12 is a lifeline for locals, vacationers and emergency responders alike. It spans about 150 miles, connecting the islands of the Outer Banks, but stretches of it have been destroyed by hurricanes of previous years.

Last night, about a 48-mile stretch of the highway was closed due to storm surge between Oregon Inlet and Hatteras Village.

(08:40 a.m. EDT) Welcome To Day 11 Of Erin

From senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:

This "Cabo Verde" storm already made quite a voyage. It's 2,941 miles away from where it first became a tropical storm 10 days ago near Cabo Verde.

(08:16 a.m. EDT) Sun Rises On East Coast

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Early risers along the East Coast are posting photos to social media of a pretty spectacular sunrise, courtesy of Hurricane Erin’s moisture. This photo from Charleston, South Carolina, was just posted by meteorologist Joey Sovine.

(07:47 a.m. EDT) Imagine Being On This Ferry

From managing editor Sean Breslin:

Keeping in mind that this is all the way up near the Rhode Island coast, check out how this boat was jostled by large waves yesterday evening:

(07:34 a.m. EDT) Buoy Shows 44.9 Foot Wave Height From Hurricane Erin

From senior writer Chris DeWeese:

Hurricane Erin is a huge storm capable of producing some giant waves. Many of these waves will remain unknown and unrecorded, but there are plenty of buoys out in the Atlantic capable of picking up data to give us some sense of what’s going on out there.

Keep an eye on buoy 41001, located 150 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras, which recently reported significant wave heights of 44.9 feet. As senior digital meteorologist Jonathan Erdman explains, since "max wave heights" are usually 2x the sig. wave heights....there could be up to 90-foot waves well offshore!”