North Carolina Man Swept Off Sand Dune by Hurricane Erin’s Waves

HATTERAS, N.C. — A North Carolina man was knocked off his feet by massive waves from Hurricane Erin while filming the storm’s impact in Hatteras on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Advisory for the area, warning of waves reaching nearly 20 feet.

Brian McArthur captured the moment on camera as he stood atop a 10-foot sand dune being pounded by relentless surf.

“I noticed the water pulling way out, and when it came back, a double wave sent white water up the dune where I was standing,” McArthur told Storyful.

Moments later, the surge undercut the dune, sweeping him off balance and sending him tumbling.
“I got obliterated,” he said.

Although Hurricane Erin is now pulling away from the U.S., forecasters say its dangerous effects will linger through Friday across North Carolina and the Mid-Atlantic.

“Life-threatening surf and rip currents will churn up and down the East Coast for the next few days,” the NWS warned.

Meanwhile, North Carolina officials have ordered evacuations for tens of thousands of residents and reinforced critical roads like NC Highway 12 in the Outer Banks ahead of the storm’s impact.