NC Highway 12 on Hatteras Island remains closed after extensive ocean overwash and multiple dune breaches. The most damage is at the northern ends of Buxton and Hatteras Village, as well as along Pea Island, north of Rodanthe.

OUTER BANKS, N.C. (WITN) - Though Erin is moving away from the NC coast, its impacts are still lingering and keeping parts of the Outer Banks’ major highway closed. Hwy 12 will stay closed at the Marc Basnight Bridge and on the north end of Ocracoke at this time.

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.

NCDOT officials said "given the winds, wave heights and storm surge forecast, it likely won't be enough" to keep NC 12 from flooding at the Outer Banks.

Thousands of people were evacuated off parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks amid the threat of a storm surge. Meanwhile, beaches remained off limits along the East Coast as dangerous waves and rip currents slammed shorelines.

Although the storm is expected to stay offshore, evacuations were ordered on such barrier islands along the Carolina coast as Hatteras as authorities warned the storm could churn up dangerous rip currents and swamp roads with waves of 15 feet.

As NCDOT crews work to get NC12 reopened on Hatteras Island, Dare County officials announced Thursday afternoon that a reentry permit will be required

Increased surf and dangerous rip currents are expected to continue along the eastern seaboard as Hurricane Erin moves into the North Atlantic.