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'Things will deteriorate quickly': NC Highway 12 remains open as Outer Banks braces for Hurricane Erin
Hurricane Erin has prompted mandatory evacuations in the Outer Banks.
Avon, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island and Rodanthe are under mandatory evacuations along with Dare and Hyde counties. More than 1,000 people left the Outer Banks on Monday.
The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for the Outer Banks from the Beaufort Inlet to Duck, including the Pamlico Sound. It means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area in the next 36 hours.
While the eye of Hurricane Erin is expected to stay in the Atlantic, it is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the North Carolina coast.
For Tuesday, high tide is expected around 5:19 p.m. in the Outer Banks.
Storm surge flooding and tropical storm conditions are expected in the Outer Banks late Wednesday. The Outer Banks could see waves between 15 and 20 feet.
The area could also see overwash on N.C. Highway 12. On Tuesday afternoon, the North Carolina Department of Transportation posted a photo on X of N.C. Highway 12 from the north end of Buxton.
“NC12 is still open and passable, but things will deteriorate quickly over the next few days,” the post reads. “The time to evacuate is now.”
Here’s a look at the north end of Buxton. This was taken roughly 2.5 hours BEFORE this afternoon’s high tide. NC12 is still open and passable, but things will deteriorate quickly over the next few days. The time to evacuate is now. pic.twitter.com/3yTVAvQVWM
— NCDOT NC12 (@NCDOT_NC12) August 19, 2025
On Tuesday morning, the state Department of Transportation posted a photo of N.C. 12, writing:
“Today’s morning high tide has come and gone, with some minor ocean trickle at Buxton and on the north end of Ocracoke Island. N.C. 12 is open and passable from end to end, so please use this opportunity to follow Dare and Hyde County’s mandatory evacuation orders for both visitors and residents of Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. There is a very real probability for significant impacts beginning with tonight’s high tide, and worsening through Friday as Hurricane Erin approaches. Those impacts may include a road closure, possibly for several days.”
Jason Rosenfeld is among the Outer Banks residents who have chosen to stay. He explained his decision not to leave.
“I’ll go down with my ship,” he said. “I’m fine with it.
“I’ve lived a full life.”
Life-threatening rip currents are expected throughout the week.
Double red flags are flying at Nags Head beaches, asking people to stay out of the water due to life-threatening conditions.
Here’s what the flag colors mean.
- Green flag: Low hazard
- Yellow flag: Medium hazard
- Red flag: High hazard
- Double red flag: Closed beach
- Purple flag: Dangerous marine animals are nearby