AI-assisted summary

Hurricane Erin, fluctuating in intensity, prompted evacuations in North Carolina's Outer Banks.

Dangerous rip currents and surf conditions are expected along the East Coast.

NC Highway 12 is expected to become impassable due to ocean overwash.

Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Hatteras Island, Ocracoke, and Dare County.

Hurricane Erin fluctuated in intensity on Monday, Aug. 18, and expanded in size as people fled North Carolina's Outer Banks and forecasters warned of "life-threatening" rip currents and surf conditions along most of the East Coast.

After losing some intensity over the weekend, Erin briefly strengthened back into a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. But by an 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, its

See Full Page