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.

Videos show massive waves lashing abandoned homes on North Carolina's Outer Banks as the storm passes the U.S.

Much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is under a tropical storm watch with Hurricane Erin expected to skirt the area Wednesday through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Local officials issued evacuation orders for parts of the Outer Banks, warning that the storm might wash out roads.

Forecasters are warning swimmers early Friday that U.S. East Coast beaches will remain dangerous for the coming days, as Hurricane Erin continues its northeasterly flight from the United States.

Strong winds and waves from Hurricane Erin have battered Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as dangerous rip currents continue to threaten from the Carolinas to New England.