State of Emergency Declared as Hurricane Erin Approaches North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina, August 20, 2025

News Summary

North Carolina has declared a State of Emergency in response to Hurricane Erin, which is set to impact coastal areas with severe weather including flooding and strong winds. Mandatory evacuations are in place for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands. Governor Josh Stein is urging residents to prepare for dangerous conditions, while emergency shelters are available. Meteorologists predict significant wave heights and possible beach erosion. State officials advise residents to monitor updates and take preparation measures for the storm’s impact.

Raleigh, North Carolina — A State of Emergency has been declared for North Carolina as Hurricane Erin approaches, threatening the state’s coastal regions with severe weather conditions. Governor Josh Stein announced the emergency on Tuesday, urging all residents to brace for flooding, powerful winds, and dangerous surf expected later this week.

A media briefing led by Governor Stein will occur at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday at the State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, where updates on the storm will be provided to the public.

Hurricane Erin is anticipated to intensify, with meteorologists predicting 15 to 20 feet high waves, potentially causing significant beach erosion and coastal flooding. Residents in Dare and Hyde counties have also declared local states of emergency in light of the looming storm.

Mandatory evacuations have already been put in place for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands, where residents could face tropical storm force winds on Wednesday and Thursday. Those needing shelter from the storm can go to the State Operated Disaster Shelter in Warrenton, which is pet-friendly.

Storm Details and Expected Impacts

Forecasters indicate that Erin will not make landfall but will still significantly impact the North Carolina coast and surrounding eastern U.S. shoreline. The storm’s expected effects include:

• Coastal flooding affecting roads, vehicles, and buildings.
• Life-threatening rip currents will persist throughout the week.
• Tropical storm force winds to reach the Outer Banks by midweek.

Preparation Recommendations

State officials are advising residents to prepare for the approaching storm by taking several precautionary steps:

• Stay informed by monitoring updates from the National Weather Service and local media.
• Prepare an emergency kit containing essential items such as important documents, cash, prescriptions, a phone charger, and insurance policies.
• Identify evacuation zones and routes via KnowYourZone.NC.Gov.
• Avoid floodwaters, following the motto “Turn around, don’t drown,” and check road conditions at DriveNC.Gov.

For more information on emergency response details, residents can access ReadyNC.Gov/Erin.

Background on Hurricane Erin

Hurricane Erin is the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and temporarily peaked as a Category 5 storm before weakening. Even as it diminishes in strength, it remains a significant threat to the coastal areas of North Carolina. Earlier signs of the storm’s impact have already been felt in the Outer Banks, where dangerous rip currents and swells are being reported.

Further complicating matters, meteorologists have identified two disturbances following Erin, labeled “Disturbance 1” with a 60% chance of cyclone formation and “Disturbance 2” with a 30% chance. Alongside the state emergency declaration, the Charlotte Fire Department has initiated its Urban Search and Rescue team to assist in emergency response efforts. Task Force 3, trained for swift water rescues, has been deployed to Edenton to prepare for possible flooding and other emergencies stemming from Hurricane Erin. The deployment for the fire response team could extend up to 14 days, and crews are ready to tackle various hazards including structural collapse and flood rescue operations.

Key Features of Hurricane Erin

FAQs

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Additional Resources

• WCNC: Hurricane Erin State of Emergency in North Carolina
• WBTV: Systems Following Hurricane Erin
• WCNC: Hurricane Erin Rapid Intensification
• Wikipedia: Hurricane Erin
• WBTV: Hurricane Erin Impacts on Carolinas

Author: HERE Charlotte

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