A "wild" video shows the moment waves from Hurricane Erin crashed into homes in the Outer Banks.
The North Carolina homes were protected by stilts as the water rushed down the street and around them, according to the video, which was published by The New York Post. The Post referred to the water as a "tidal surge."
According to Accuweather, "Powerful waves from Hurricane Erin hit beachside homes and flooded streets along North Carolina’s Outer Banks" on Aug. 19.
That site posted a video showing people walking through Outer Banks flood waters.
The Category 2 hurricane, which has winds of 100 mph to 110 mph, was barrelling toward the eastern seaboard of the United States on August 20, according to the National Hurricane Center, which reported that it was expected to produce "life-threatening surf and rip currents" along beaches located in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada, and much of the eastern U.S.
Hurricane Erin's powerful tidal surge was also captured in aerial videos.
On August 19, Dare County, NC, wrote, "Tropical Storm and Storm Surge warnings are currently in effect for Dare County, indicating that tropical storm force winds and life-threatening inundation from rising water will reach the area within the next 36 hours." That's the county that encompasses the Outer Banks.
A mandatory evacuation order was in effect for Hatteras Island, which includes the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras, the county wrote.
"Once coastal flooding begins, inundation will persist for several days, worsening with each high tide. N.C. Highway 12 is expected to become impassable, making it extremely difficult—if not impossible—for emergency services personnel to respond to calls for service," the county noted.
"Storm surge" flooding was predicted in North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center, which wrote that tropical storm conditions were expected in the Outer Banks on Aug. 20. "Large waves" could make roads impassable there, the Center noted.
