Hurricane Erin is forcing evacuations on North Carolina's Outer Banks as it threatens to whip up wild waves, rip currents and tropical-force winds.

Dramatic aerial footage shows storm surge flooding homes and a motel in North Carolina’s Outer Banks on Aug. 19 as Hurricane Erin battered the coast. Officials ordered evacuations in Dare County, warning of life-threatening winds and rising waters.

As the edges of Hurricane Erin get closer to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, much attention has been placed on Highway 12, a roughly 150-mile-long byway that connects that state’s islands and peninsulas. It is beloved by locals and tourists because of its scenic views of the ocean, sand dunes and old lighthouses.

Hurricane Erin is back on the rise — and forecasters say the worst could be yet to come. The massive Atlantic storm began strengthening again on Wednesday, stirring up dangerous waves and rip currents that have already closed beaches from the Carolinas to New York City and forced emergency crews into action,

Hurricane Erin formed early Friday, Aug. 15, marking the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season before exploding over the weekend.

Hurricane Erin is already causing rip current issues at Delaware beaches. Here's where Hurricane Erin will hit and which Delaware beaches are closed.