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Hurricane Erin is moving northeast, away from North Carolina's coast, but flooding impacts will linger in the Outer Banks.



NC 12 remains closed in Outer Banks, oceanfront neighborhoods flooded, damage to homes

ON THE WAY AND I'M TRACKING THAT COMING UP. >> ALL RIGHT, KEN, THANK YOU. NEW VIDEO INTO OUR NEWS ROOM SHOWS THE DOT CLEARING PARTS OF NC 12 ON THE COAST. THIS IS AN EFFORT, OF COURSE, TO GET THE ROAD OPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE LAST 90 MINUTES, LEADERS GAVE US AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS. IT WAS THEIR KILLER WAS THERE. HE JOINS US LIVE FROM THE OREGON INLET. ERICA, WHAT ARE WE LEARNING ABOUT THIS? WHEN CAN FOLKS USE THAT ROAD AGAIN? >> WELL, GERALD, THAT IS THE REALLY BIG QUESTION. IT'S THE DOT SAYS THOSE NEXT TO A HIGH TIDE CYCLES OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE MAJOR TEST. YOU CAN SEE EVEN AS HURRICANE ERIN IS MOVING OUT WHEN YOU'RE AT WORK. OREGON INLET STILL ABSOLUTELY WHIPPING IN EVEN JUST OUTSIDE OF THE COAST GUARD STATION HERE IN WHAT SHOULD BE A SAFE HARBOR. WAVES ARE STILL BEING DRIVEN UP. THESE CONDITIONS ARE CONTINUING TO PILE BOATS AND AND WATER ONTO THE ROAD, MAKING IT SO MUCH HARDER TO GET THINGS CLEANED UP AND GET THESE ROADS RE-OPENED. YOU TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THIS VIDEO HERE. THIS WAS SHARED WITH US BY NC DOT. THIS IS SOME OF THE WORST OF WHAT THEY'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW. THIS IS DOWN AROUND BOTH THE TOWN OF HATTERAS AS WELL AS OCRACOKE. FURTHER OUT THERE IN THE ATLANTIC. THEY SAY THERE HAVE BEEN MAJOR BREACHES OF THE DUNE SYSTEM THERE IN PLACES MORE THAN A FOOT OF WATER IN THE ROADWAY. NOT TO MENTION THE AMOUNT OF SAND THAT'S BEEN BOTH WASHED AND BLOWN IN BY THE SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND C DOT TELLS US THAT THE DIRECTION THOSE BEACHES AND THOSE ROADS ARE FACING, THAT'S REALLY BEEN THE DETERMINING FACTOR IN WHY THEY HAVE TAKEN SO MUCH MORE DAMAGE THAN OTHER PLACES. TAKE A LISTEN. >> THE THING IS, IS THAT BEACH FACES SOUTHEAST AND THAT WAS THE DIRECTION THAT AARON WAS COMING FROM. SO THAT GOT THE WORST OF IT OVER THE LAST FEW HIGH TIDE CYCLES. NOW THAT THE STORM HAS MOVED ALMOST DIRECTLY TO OUR EAST. THAT IS WHERE OUR CONCERN COMES IN WITH LIKE PEA ISLAND AND RODANTHE IN THOSE PLACES. >> RIGHT NOW IN C DOT HAS MORE THAN 2 DOZEN PIECES OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT OUT THERE ON HATTERAS ISLAND. RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE RACING TO SHORE UP THOSE DEFENSES THAT DO REMAIN THOSE BIGS AND WALLS. THOSE DUNES TRYING TO KEEP AS MUCH WATER OFF OF THE ROAD AS POSSIBLE. ONCE THERE IT IS FURTHER OUT OF THE WAY. AND WHAT'S WORSE FOR THOSE NEXT 2 HIGH TIDE CYCLES DOT SAYS THEY'LL BE ABLE TO GO OUT START CLEARING THE WATER OFF OF THE ROADS ARE CLEARING THE SAND OFF OF THE ROAD AND ASSESS WHETHER THERE'S BEEN ANY DAMAGE TO THE PAVEMENT UNDERNEATH. IF THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY DAMAGE, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO REOPEN HIGHWAY 12 AS SOON AS TOMORROW. BUT IF THAT ROAD HAS BEEN RE HAS BEEN RIPPED UP IS THAT PAVEMENT HAS BEEN BROKEN AND SCATTERED. THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE A MUCH LONGER CLOSURE AS DOT OFFICIALS LEFT TO MAKE REPAIRS THERE BEFORE THEY CAN START REOPENING THIS ROAD. STILL, THEY ARE HOPEFUL THE NEXT 24 HOURS MAY BE THE HEAD OF THESE PAINFUL DISRUPTIONS FOR FOLKS NOT HERE IN THE OUTER BANKS AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK THEIR DEALERS. WRAL DO SO. LET'S HOPE THAT THAT STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IS VERY MINIMAL. THANK YOU, ERIC. >> BUXTON BEACH GOT TO SHOW YOU THIS ON HATTERAS ISLAND. IT IS SEEING SOME HEAVY STORM SURGE AND MOST OF THESE PHOTOS, YOU CAN SEE THE SURF COMING WAY UP TO THE SHORELINE AND OVER PASSING SANDBAGS. ONE OF THEM EVEN CHOSE YOU SEE THIS. THAT'S A SPLATTER SAND ALL OVER A HOME COUNT ON WRAL FOR TEAM COVERAGE OF HURRICANE ERIN AND ITS IMPACTS. OUR METEOROLOGISTS ARE TRACKING EVERY MOMENT MOVEMENT OF THIS STORM. WE HAVE CREWS ALONG THE COAST. YOU HEARD FROM ERIC. ALSO, HEIDI KIRK WILL BE BRINGING U.S. REPORTS THROUGHOUT THE EVENING. AND YOU CAN WATCH THE STORM MOVE AWAY FROM NORTH CAROLINA

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Police response at Villanova University

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Land near Shearon Harris Nuclear Plant

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Crabtree Valley Mall is set for a major transformation as part of a strategic investment to enhance its appeal and functionality.


Crabtree Valley Mall undergoes major renovation to enhance Raleigh shopping experience

Crabtree Valley Mall

While North Carolina's coast deals with erosion, flooding and the risk of rip currents from Hurricane Erin, the Triangle is in for a few relatively mild days. 

Triangle weekend temps in the 80s with chance of storms Sunday

Weekend outlook

A groundbreaking lawsuit has been filed against Roblox in North Carolina, accusing the gaming giant of enabling the sexual exploitation of a child.

High Point family sues Roblox, alleging child exploitation and predator access on platform

Stock image of Roblox home screen

The Atlantic hurricane season runs each year from June 1 to Nov. 30. The most active time is late August into October, but it's possible to see a hurricane make landfall any time of the year.

Hurricane season 2025: Two other areas to watch in the tropics

Odds of tropical development as of 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025.

Two transgender women, Jovani Leon and Lotus Lolita, were reportedly assaulted at Legends Nightclub in Raleigh following a verbal altercation that turned physical. The incident, involving a beer bottle attack, highlights concerns over safety for the LGBTQ+ community at nightlife venues. 

Transgender women say man threw beer bottle at them in Raleigh nightclub assault

Transgender woman assaulted at Legends in Raleigh

Nearly every Wake County class will have a teacher this fall, as the district continues to improve its fill rate, just a couple of years after being short hundreds of teachers.

'Thinking outside the box': How Wake Schools hired a teacher for nearly every classroom this fall

Sarah Carter at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School

From helping students learn to raising new concerns about cheating and bias, AI is forcing educators to rethink how they teach. But WRAL has found several school districts in the area don't have a written policy on AI in their classrooms.


AI in the classroom: Several NC districts don't have written policies

North Carolina's disaster savings fund has dropped from $700 million to $100 million this year, raising questions about preparedness amid funding delays by state and federal officials.

After Erin, how prepared is North Carolina to handle more hurricanes in 2025?

A look at some of the damage from Hurricane Erin in the Outer Banks on Aug. 21, 2025.

The video, a compilation of clips from internal video meetings, suggests that some TikTok employees raised questions about the safety of the app for some users. The company says it's taken out of context.

'You never want to leave': TikTok employees raise concerns about the app's impact on users in newly unsealed video

TikTok

Hurricane Erin's swells pose a threat to sea turtle nests along the North Carolina coastline, where conservationists like Marie Palmer are working tirelessly to protect these vulnerable habitats.


Storms like Hurricane Erin pose a perennial threat to sea turtle nests on North Carolina coast

Sea turtle at Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center 

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Duke Health specialist Sujay Kansagra and UNC Health physician Victoria Boggiano have some guidance for kids trying to get enough sleep before class after a summer of relaxation and fun.

From A to Zzzz: Sleep a big part of getting kids back into the school time routine

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In the wake of Hurricane Helene, a WRAL Documentary explores the stories of resilience and sorrow affecting communities across the mountains of Western North Carolina.


WRAL Documentary: A year after Hurricane Helene, stories of heartbreak and hope

Gov. Josh Stein proposes $891 million for Helene relief, NC House proposes $700 million

This photo gallery shows the impacts of high tides, erosion and dangerous surf conditions as Hurricane Erin's center of circulation passes the North Carolina coastline between Aug. 20-21, 2025. 

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Where can I find the best prices on grocery staples this week?

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On Thursday, Fainting Goat Brewing in Fuquay-Varina will launch "Weather Alert Day" beer. 

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WRAL, Fainting Goat Brewing Company partner for release of new "Weather Alert Day" beer

A couple is heading back home to Massachusetts after Hurricane Erin forced them to press pause on their Outer Banks wedding plans.


Couple changes plans after Hurricane Erin cancels Outer Banks wedding

Amber Beninati and Lucas Patruno

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The renderings are part of a project to update the space and make it more vibrant

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Proposed Wake County data center sparks major concerns amongst nearby neighbors

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Excerpt from lawsuit against TikTok in North Carolina

"Charity fraud": 5 On Your Side shares how to donate wisely

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RPD car ramming, police chase suspect appears in court

Video Central

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Chatham County Sheriff's Office works with Kentucky police to investigate Pittsboro death

Local News

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Triangle conservation group sues farm, hoping to halt amphitheater plans

Three new restaurants open at RDU International Airport

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Trump administration is reviewing all 55 million foreigners with US visas for any violations

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Students face new cellphone restrictions in 17 states as school year begins

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The founders of this new development say you must be white to live there

Kamala Harris, former vice president and presidential candidate, brings her book tour to the Durham Performing Arts Center on October 15.


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NASCAR Hall of Fame

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37th Annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival in Cary, NC on Augu

'Live After 5' summer concert series wraps up this week in downtown Raleigh

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The conflict surrounding agritourism in North Carolina escalates as the Triangle Land Conservancy sues six Orange County properties, including Union Grove Farm, over alleged breaches of conservation agreements. Central to the dispute is Union Grove's plan to build a 2,500-seat amphitheater.

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Hurricane Erin is sending some would-be travelers scrambling to cancel their trips to the coast. WRAL's 5 On Your Side shares what you need to know about canceling your trip during a weather disaster.


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