Hurricane Erin is tracking north as a Category 2 storm, nearly parallel to the East Coast. It is expected to strengthen back into a Category 3 hurricane later tonight. Follow here for live updates.

North Carolina expects coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical-storm-force winds and tidal and storm surges for much of the state shoreline, especially the Outer Banks, as well as life-threatening rip currents for most of the week, Stein said, adding, "No one should be in the ocean."

Hurricane Erin has triggered a state of emergency in North Carolina, where residents and visitors along the Outer Banks are under evacuation orders.

The storm is bringing dangerous conditions to parts of the coast on Wednesday, but will then turn away from the United States.

Videos show massive waves lashing abandoned homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks as the storm passes the U.S.

According to a 5 a.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center on Aug. 20, Erin is located about 455 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds near 100 mph with higher gusts.

Local officials issued evacuation orders for parts of the Outer Banks, warning that the storm might wash out roads.