Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

As Hurricane Erin nears the North Carolina coast, authorities have taken major steps to protect residents and infrastructure along NC Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island. After the last ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras departs at 5:30 PM today,

NCDOT officials said "given the winds, wave heights and storm surge forecast, it likely won't be enough" to keep NC 12 from flooding at the Outer Banks.

Mandatory evacuation orders for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island have been issued due to possible impacts from Hurricane Erin and will start to go into effect Monday.