North Carolinas Outer Banks are facing evacuations
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In anticipation of the impacts of Hurricane Erin to be felt all along the East Coast, but particularly the Outer Banks and even some parts of Hampton Roads, evacuation orders have been issued for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands in Dare County.
Forecasts nudge Erin's likely path to the west, increasing the risks at U.S. beaches. Experts say the storm's massive size, rather than windspeed, is what makes it a threat.
NC Highway 12 remains open for those who still need to evacuate, so please listen to evacuation orders. Officials will only close NC-12 when it becomes impassable. Find out how NCDOT is preparing for Hurricane Erin.
NCDOT officials said "given the winds, wave heights and storm surge forecast, it likely won't be enough" to keep NC 12 from flooding at the Outer Banks.
Two more tropical systems trail Hurricane Erin, which is following a projected course that brushes past the East Coast without making landfall.
Although the storm is expected to stay offshore, it will produce dangerous surf conditions for much of the Atlantic Coast this week, forecasters say.
Hurricane Erin was a Category 4 storm Monday morning and is expected to retain major hurricane status through the middle of the week.
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