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.

The International Space Station captured Hurricane Erin as it traveled northwest through the Caribbean, with sustained wind speeds of 105 mph.

More than 2,000 people were evacuated by ferry from Ocracoke Island, part of the Outer Banks, the governor’s office said, adding that the service "will continue as long as the weather holds.”