Hurricane Erin Exposes Gaps in Coastal Preparedness Amid Rising Storm Threats to America

As Hurricane Erin roars across the Atlantic toward North Carolina's Outer Banks, it serves as a stark reminder of America’s ongoing vulnerability along its eastern seaboard. While officials express cautious relief that direct landfall may not occur, this Category 4 storm—with sustained winds soaring up to 140 mph—is already forcing evacuations and threatening significant coastal flooding. Are Our Coasts Prepared for the Next Major Storm? Island communities like Hatteras and Ocracoke are bracing for waves reaching heights of 15 feet. Evacuation orders on these thin barrier islands reflect not just an immediate threat from Hurricane Erin but a longer-term challenge:...