The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC released an updated tropical storm warning at 4:42 p.m. on Tuesday in effect until Wednesday at 12:45 a.m. for Ocracoke Island.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC released an updated storm surge watch at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday in effect until 1:15 p.m. for Ocracoke Island.

Several days of heavy surf and high winds and waves could wash out parts of NC 12, which connects the popular vacation spot to the mainland, the National Weather Service said.

Tideland Electric Membership Corportation had 11 crew members deployed to Ocracoke to supplement their island workforce. Today’s ferry crossing had the delivery

At 5 p.m., Erin was packing maximum sustained wind of 105 mph. The Category 2 hurricane remains on a path to steer

Rodanthe, N.C. — From Florida to New England, people trying to enjoy the last hurrahs of summer along the coast were met with rip-current warnings, closed beaches and in some cases already treacherous waves as Hurricane Erin inched closer Wednesday.

An updated storm surge warning was issued by the NWS Newport/Morehead City NC on Tuesday at 4:42 p.m. in effect until Wednesday at 12:45 a.m. for Ocracoke Island.

Most of the tourists have left Ocracoke Island, and the surfers are watching closely as deadly rip currents lurk below the waves.