(This tale was revised to include additional details.)
As The outer edges of Hurricane Erin start to move past, the National Hurricane Center reports that weather conditions are anticipated to worsen along the North Carolina coast on Wednesday, August 20.
Dangerous waves and strong currents are anticipated, so visitors to the beach are being advised to exercise care. Multiple coastal communities in the Wilmington region have issued warnings advising individuals to avoid swimming.
Deeper along the North Carolina coastline, certain parts of the Outer Banks are experiencing required evacuations.
By 11 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, Erin was approximately 215 miles to the southeast of Cape Hatteras, heading in a north-northwest direction at a speed of 16 mph, with top sustained winds reaching 110 mph. Erin, classified as a Category 2 storm, is expected to increase in size as it travels across the western Atlantic throughout the week, as reported by the National Hurricane Center.
On Tuesday, August 19, the North Carolina coastline was already experiencing effects through significant waves, drawing surfers to Wrightsville Beach. However, authorities are still advising caution for swimmers and those on the water.
“Beginner swimmers are advised to avoid the water because of hazardous wave conditions,” stated the National Weather Service in Wilmington.
Impacts in the Wilmington region through Friday involve 8-10 foot waves north of the Cape Fear River, and up to 6 feet south of the river’s mouth, which may result in hazardous swimming situations and some beach erosion. The weather service cautioned that minor flooding during high tide occurrences along various beaches and low-lying areas near the southern Cape Fear River is expected.
In the meantime, the National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on tropical waves near the Leeward Islands and the Cabo Verde Islands. There is a chance for some formation as they travel across the Atlantic this week.
Wilmington weather radar: What to anticipate
Here’s a glimpse at the upcoming weather forecast from theNational Weather Service based in Wilmington.
- Wednesday:A possibility of rain and thunderstorms, primarily between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Cloud cover will increase, with a maximum temperature around 86 degrees. Northeasterly winds ranging from 6 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph. There is a 40% chance of precipitation. Rainfall amounts are expected to be between 0.1 and 0.25 inches, though higher levels may occur during thunderstorms.
- Wednesday night:A small possibility of rain and thunderstorms before 9 p.m. Cloudy, then slowly turning partly cloudy, with a minimum temperature of about 74. North wind ranging from 10 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. There is a 20% chance of rain.
- Thursday:A small possibility of rain and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high around 89. Northerly winds between 13 to 15 mph, reaching up to 24 mph in gusts. There’s a 20% chance of rain.
- Thursday night:Generally clear, with a low of 71. North wind approximately 7 mph.
Swim warnings and additional notifications
Several local beach communities, such as Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Ocean Isle Beach, have issued warnings advising against swimming. Hundreds of water rescues have been documented in recent days.
A coastal flood warning is active from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, for the Cape Fear River near downtown Wilmington and the Battleship North Carolina, as reported by the weather service. Some sections of Battleship Road and USS North Carolina Road may encounter light coastal flooding reaching up to half a foot. In downtown Wilmington, Water Street might face slight flooding with a depth of up to a quarter foot.
A flood warning is also active until further notice for the Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw, as reported by the weather service.
A warning for high waves is active along the Cape Fear shoreline until 11 p.m. on Thursday, August 21.
A small boat warning is in effect for the Cape Fear coastline until 8 p.m. on Thursday, August 21. “Inexperienced sailors, particularly those with smaller boats, should steer clear of dangerous weather conditions,” as stated by the weather service.
A tropical storm alert has been issued from Beaufort Inlet to the North Carolina-Virginia border, covering Pamlico and Albemarle sounds.
A flood alert was issued from Cape Lookout to Duck.
Heightened rip current risk
As Erin moves past the North Carolina coastline, large waves will raise the risk of hazardous rip currents far ahead of where the storm is actually located. This, combined with coastal erosion, may be some of the most significant effects Erin has on the Cape Fear area.
Rip currents, which are the primary cause of weather-related fatalities in the Carolinas, can be hard to detect, but people at the beach should watch for areas where the water appears darker, is more turbulent, and creates a gap in the wave pattern. These currents develop in depressions or gaps in sandbars, causing water to accumulate between the breaking waves and the shoreline. The water then flows back toward the ocean through the rip current. Another sign could be a line of foam, seaweed, or trash moving away from the shore.
If you get trapped in a rip current, avoid trying to swim against the flow.
While it might be challenging, theU.S. Lifesaving Associationstates that swimmers should “remain calm,” pointing out that the rip current won’t pull them beneath the surface. Swimmers are advised to swim parallel to the shore or toward areas where waves are breaking, then move at an angle back toward the beach.
Evacuations
On Wednesday morning, August 20, there were no mandatory evacuations in the Cape Fear area. However, flooding due to storm surge could occur in certain parts of the Outer Banks, leading to a required evacuation for Hatteras Island in Dare County and Ocracoke in Hyde County.
Are you ready for a hurricane?
The hurricane season begins on June 1 and ends in November. Regardless of whether this system presents a risk to the North Carolina coastline, it’s always a good idea to get ready.
Reporter Gareth McGrath can be contacted at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or via @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This article was created with funding from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network retains complete editorial authority over the content.
This piece first was published in the Wilmington StarNews:Wilmington weather report: Hurricane Erin causing hazardous waves and unsafe swimming conditions
