‘The ocean is speaking’ :  Hurricane Erin stirs powerful flooding along North Carolina’s Outer Banks

Hurricane Erin pushed heavy waves onto North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Wednesday, prompting red-flag warnings against swimming. Families in Kitty Hawk watched from porches and dunes as surf rose, while some locals described the storm as less severe than expected. In Buxton, strong waves flooded a motel and nearby road, though residents noted the storm’s beauty amid the winds. The Category 2 hurricane is expected to track north between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda, with dangerous surf lingering into Thursday.