NC 12 shut down near the Basnight Bridge over the Oregon Inlet to all southbound traffic as Hurricane Erin makes its closest pass to the Outer Banks.

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,

Hurricane Erin made its closest approach to the North Carolina coast this morning, and Highway 12 is still feeling its effects. The critical highway remains closed on Hatteras Island, as well as on Ocracoke Island.

Officials predict N.C. 12 will become impassable in sections with the evening’s high tide around 6:10 p.m. Wednesday.

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:

A State of Emergency has been issued for all areas of Dare County, and a mandatory evacuation order is in place for Hatteras Island, according to officials.Additionally, the Hyde County Commissioners issued a State of Emergency,

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.

While most businesses closed ahead of the storm, some Hatteras Island shops and inns are staying open, providing food and refuge to those unable to leave.