KITTY HAWK, N.C. – Forecasters in North Carolina are warning that Hurricane Erin 's winds and surf could cause "extreme" damage to beach and coastal areas in the Outer Banks, including flooding homes and businesses farther inland.

While the U.S. will be spared a landfall from monster Hurricane Erin, which was sitting at Category 4 strength as of Monday evening , the impacts will be felt up and down the East Coast throughout the week with life-threatening coastal conditions, rip currents and big waves.

The Outer Banks will face the brunt of these conditions beginning Tuesday afternoon.

On Monday, the National Weather Service in Newport-Morehead City, North Carolina, issued an ominous-sounding High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Watch with its beach hazard statement.

"Extreme beach and

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