As Hurricane Erin progresses along the East Coast, towns in North Carolina and beyond brace for significant impacts, including dangerous seas and coastal flooding. The hurricane, currently fluctuating in strength but recently reaching Category 5 status, has prompted states of emergency in the Outer Banks and various tropical storm warnings across multiple states including Virginia and New Jersey. Rip currents and high surf have led to beach closures from Florida to New York, with swimmers advised to avoid the ocean. Emergency measures have rolled out, including the closure of beaches in Ocean City and high surf advisories in Massachusetts, as Erin is expected to continue affecting weather patterns along the coast.