"Outer bands of large Hurricane Erin nearing the North Carolina Outer Banks,'' the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. ET update, pointing out swimming at most East Coast beaches is strongly discouraged "due to life-threatening surf and rip currents." Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Hurricane Erin, now a Category 2 storm, has triggered a state of emergency in North Carolina, where residents and visitors along the Outer Banks are under evacuation orders. The Outer Banks is also under a tropical storm warning; Erin is forecast to hit the islands with heavy rain and rough winds on Wednesday night.