OUTER BANKS, N.C. — Dare County officials declared a state of emergency Sunday evening as they say Hurricane Erin is forecast to bring life-threatening impacts to the Outer Banks, despite the storm staying well off the coast.

A Coastal Flood Watch has already been issued for Dare County. Coastal flooding and ocean overwash are expected to begin as early as Tuesday, Aug. 19, and continue through Thursday, Aug. 21. Officials say portions of N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island will likely be impassable for several days.

The state of emergency took effect Sunday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m.

A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for Hatteras Island, which is designated as Zone A. Zone A includes all of Hatteras Island, including the unincorporated villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxto

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