From Fox News:
Millions of people up and down the East Coast have been told to prepare for impacts from Hurricane Erin as the monster Category 3 hurricane continues on its journey across the Atlantic, bringing it close to the U.S. this week. Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall in the U.S. However, outer bands from the massive storm could lash the North Carolina coastline with tropical-storm-force winds and heavy rain as it passes by the Outer Banks.
Because of the danger, officials in some North Carolina communities have told residents and visitors to evacuate and declared local states of emergency ahead of possible life-threatening impacts.