Hurricane Erin was a Category 4 storm with 130 mph winds on Monday night as it passed to the east of the Bahamas. The forecast track keeps the center of the storm well away from the U.S. East Coast this week, but tropical storm and storm surge watches have been issued for the North Carolina Outer Banks. National Hurricane Center

RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) - North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is speaking about the state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Erin on Wednesday morning. The press conference is expected to begin at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20. A live stream of the briefing will be available in the video player above.

A weather alert was issued by the NWS Newport/Morehead City NC on Monday at 2:51 p.m. for strong thunderstorms until 3:30 p.m. The alert is for Mainland Hyde as well as Tyrrell and Beaufort counties.