Hurricane Erin threatened North Carolina's coast Wednesday with huge waves and flooding, as the strengthening Category 2 storm triggered mandatory evacuation orders despite its offshore path.

Erin continues to grow in size, and its impacts from high surf, rip currents and coastal flooding are already increasing along parts of the East Coast. Here's the latest forecast.

Where is Hurricane Erin headed? On Wednesday, Aug. 20, an early morning advisory from the National Hurricane Center announced Erin was located about 455 miles south-southeast of C

At least 18 youth summer camps across North Carolina stand on or are very near federally designated floodways and flood zones, according to state and federal maps reviewed by The News & Observer. Three of those are located in high flood risk areas, as defined by federal regulators.

At 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday, the NWS Wakefield VA issued a flood advisory in effect until 8:45 p.m. The advisory is for Camden, Chowan, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.

North Carolina residents share their thoughts on the possible impact of Hurricane Erin to the Outer Banks where they live. (AP video: Allen Breed)

"Extreme beach and coastal damage is likely along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property," weather forecasters said about a Hurricane Erin impact on the OBX and other North Carolina coastal areas.

A flood warning is in place from the North Carolina state line to Conway due to elevated water levels in the Waccamaw River. Horry County Emergency Management officials said Saturday the Waccamaw appears to have crested in the Longs area and continues to fall,