Forecasters in North Carolina are becoming increasingly concerned about life-threatening impacts from Hurricane Erin along the Outer Banks, including strong winds and massive waves that could cause "extreme" damage to beach and coastal areas, as well as a storm surge that has the potential to be a "significant threat to life and property."

Hurricane Erin was a Category 4 storm Monday morning and is expected to retain major hurricane status through the middle of the week.

After rapidly intensifying into a Category 5 storm on Saturday, Hurricane Erin has since been downgraded to a Category 4 system with sustained winds of 130 mph. However, it is expected to intensify and grow in size over the next few days.