See the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. Plan your visit for the fall, when the temperatures are still mild and the summer tourists have left. “There are things we just don't have here,

Several days of heavy surf and high winds and waves could wash out parts of NC 12, which connects the popular vacation spot to the mainland, the National Weather Service said.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued an updated tropical storm watch at 10:41 p.m. on Monday in effect until Tuesday at 6:45 a.m. for Hatteras Island.

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.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC issued a tropical storm warning at 1:09 p.m. on Tuesday for Hatteras Island. The following information is provided by the NWS:

Cape Hatteras Secondary and Cape Hatteras Elementary schools will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday due to the expected impacts from Hurricane Erin. The Tuesday announcement from Dare County Schools

While Hurricane Erin is predicted to stay hundreds of kilometres offshore, the waves it is sending on the islands are at least 20 feet high that are crashing on the vulnerable sand dunes on the islands.

The national seashore says several campgrounds, visitor facilities, beaches and off-road vehicle access points will be closed beginning Monday afternoon or evening.