Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 2 storm, is intensifying off the U.S. East Coast, prompting emergency measures across North Carolina. Though not expected to make direct landfall, its wide-reaching impact-with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 265 miles from its center-is creating hazardous marine conditions, triggering evacuations, and shutting down beaches from the Outer Banks to New England.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a tropical storm warning from the North Carolina-Virginia border to Chincoteague, Virginia, and a storm surge warning from Cape Lookout to Duck, North Carolina, where ocean water levels could rise by 2 to 4 feet. At 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Erin was located approximately 365 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, with sustained winds of 110 mph and moving north at 13 mph.

Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency, urging residents to prepare for rapidly deteriorating weather. Evacuation orders are in effect for Dare and Hyde counties, which include the vulnerable Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Local authorities have begun cutting utilities and providing transportation to shelters for residents without vehicles. North Carolina has also requested a major disaster declaration from the federal government to secure recovery resources.

The storm's closest pass to the U.S. coastline is expected Thursday, coinciding with strong onshore winds, elevated tides, and dangerous surf. Erin is likely to grow in size before beginning to weaken on Friday, but officials emphasize that its impacts are already being felt far beyond its eye. "No one should be in the ocean," warned Stein, referencing life-threatening rip currents and massive waves that have already prompted dozens of rescues.

Beach closures and no-swim advisories have been issued across coastal communities, including Wrightsville Beach in North Carolina, Wildwood in New Jersey, and Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, where waves may reach up to 25 feet. In Wrightsville alone, over 80 rescues were reported in just two days. The National Weather Service  in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic has warned of deadly surf conditions, minor tidal flooding, and rip tides that may persist through the weekend.

Agriculture and infrastructure stakeholders along the coast are watching the storm's effects closely. Though no direct landfall is predicted, storm surge and coastal flooding could impact maritime transport, input deliveries, and crop storage facilities. Ports may see temporary closures, and low-lying roads could become impassable, affecting both supply chains and ag input logistics. Agricultural co-ops are being advised to review their disaster response protocols, and livestock operators in flood-prone regions are urged to move animals to higher ground.

The Dare County Sheriff's Office reported standing water as deep as 5 inches in parts of Hatteras Village by midmorning Wednesday. Emergency crews were already reinforcing dunes in the area, a key defense against inland flooding. The USDA and FEMA are in close coordination with state agencies, monitoring infrastructure and preparing for possible relief deployments.

The NHC also noted that heavy rainfall of 1 to 2 inches could affect the Outer Banks by Thursday, though the storm's center will likely stay offshore. However, Erin's size and strength mean its effects will be felt well inland, with high surf and erosion threatening unprotected shorelines. Emergency Management Director Will Ray cautioned, "Dangerous conditions can be felt far from the eye."

Further north, New Jersey and New York have followed suit, issuing ocean access bans. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul closed all Long Island beaches, and swimming is prohibited across New York City beaches through Thursday. "These rip currents are brutal," said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who urged residents not to mistake clear skies for safety.

The rise of AI-generated misinformation has added another layer of complexity. Gov. Stein urged residents to avoid relying on social media for updates, stressing the importance of accurate reporting. "If you see something dramatic online, check with official sources," he said.