Hurricane Erin Disrupts East Coast Travel and Tourism
Hurricane Erin is causing significant disruptions to travel and tourism along the U.S. East Coast. The impact of beach closures, stretching from North Carolina to Massachusetts, is being felt by millions of vacationers during the peak of the summer season.
The Category 2 hurricane has led to mandatory evacuations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, specifically Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. It has also forced the closure of popular beaches in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York City. Notably, Ocean City, Maryland, and Assateague Island reopened only for surfers on Friday morning, remaining closed to swimmers due to the risk of dangerous rip currents.
Transportation networks are also severely affected. Key disruptions include:
- Ferry services to Martha’s Vineyard were suspended between August 21-22.
- Highway 12 on Hatteras Island is completely submerged.
- The North Carolina Ferry System evacuated over 2,200 people and 1,100 cars from Ocracoke Island on Wednesday alone.
Despite not making landfall in the U.S., Erin’s massive 265-mile wind field has generated life-threatening surf and rip currents. Coastal communities warn these could persist through the weekend, significantly impacting end-of-summer tourism revenue.
Source: CBS News