Storm surge flooding and tropical storm conditions are causing significant problems for NC's Outer Banks-especially for beachfront properties.

Beachfront property owners braced for the worst amid predictions of a storm surge of up to 4 feet and significant coastal erosion. Powerful waves of 15 to 20 feet are expected to slam beaches, especially in North Carolina, for 48 hours or more as the hurricane crawls northward offshore through at least Thursday.

Dare County officials announced a staged reentry for Hatteras Island after Hurricane Erin, reopening Highway 12 for residents and later visitors.

Governor Josh Stein surveys damage in Dare County after Hurricane Erin, discussing impacts with local business owners and thanking first responders.

Hurricane Erin is moving away from the U.S. coast. Surf and seas remain a problem for our North Carolina beaches as summer vacations continue.

North Carolina expects coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical-storm-force winds and tidal and storm surges for much of the state shoreline, especially the Outer Banks, as well as life-threatening rip currents for most of the week, Stein said, adding, "No one should be in the ocean."

High rip current and coastal flood warnings remain along North Carolina beaches as Hurricane Erin continues out to sea. FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel takes in a gorgeous sunrise from (mostly) dry land in Kitty Hawk.

Hurricane Erin passed to within about 250 miles of North Carolina’s Outer Banks Thursday morning at it closest point of approach to the U.S., with its extraordinarily large wind field bringing wind gusts as high as 49 mph to the coast and widespread areas of moderate to even major coastal flooding.