HATTERAS, N.C. — Dare County has declared a state of emergency and issued a mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island as Hurricane Erin approaches.

The State of Emergency declaration is in effect for all areas of Dare County beginning at 6 p.m. Sunday.

The mandatory evacuation order is in effect for Hatteras Island visitors beginning at 10 a.m. Monday. Residents must evacuate beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The evacuation order applies to all of Hatteras Island, including the unincorporated villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras.

Those evacuating to the north are encouraged to travel westbound on Highway 64 to Interstate 95, according to an email from Dare County officials. Evacuating through rural areas to the west helps avoid traffic backups and co

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