Hurricane Erin is marching north and is set to bring life-threatening rip currents, destructive waves, coastal flooding and possibly beach erosion to much of the East Coast. The conditions will last through Thursday before improving later on Friday and into Saturday.

The massive hurricane was picking up speed, traveling north at 14 mph, and its center was located about 295 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of North Carolina and Virginia as the impacts from Erin spread northward.

Locals on the Outer Banks are keeping a close eye on Hurricane Erin's path as it edges past the North Carolina coast. (AP video by Allen G. Breed)

As the edges of Hurricane Erin get closer to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, much attention has been placed on Highway 12, a roughly 150-mile-long byway that connects that state’s islands and peninsulas. It is beloved by locals and tourists because of its scenic views of the ocean, sand dunes and old lighthouses.

The sandy, vulnerable barrier islands on North Carolina's coast may see houses swept away and a vital roadway flooded — yet again.

Despite a mandatory evacuation order in Hatteras Islands, some people are staying put, including the property managers and owners of two motels in Buxton.

As of Tuesday morning, a storm surge watch is in effect for oceanside areas along the Outer Banks, along with a tropical storm watch for most of coastal North Carolina, The News & Observer previously reported, with evacuations underway for multiple counties.

Drone footage is giving us a dramatic look at the early storm surge from Hurricane Erin in North Carolina’s barrier islands. Watch this video for the latest on how bad things are expected to get and see how waves have already surrounded and pushed past homes.

The already sprawling storm will grow larger as it hurls the ocean toward the East Coast and Bermuda, and it could have company this week.