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.

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.

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.

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

Hurricane Erin was a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph as it made its closest approach to the U.S.