Beachfront property owners braced for the worst amid predictions of a storm surge of up to 4 feet and significant coastal erosion. Powerful waves of 15 to 20 feet are expected to slam beaches, especially in North Carolina, for 48 hours or more as the hurricane crawls northward offshore through at least Thursday.

Forecasters have predicted Hurricane Erin would peak Thursday and said it could regain strength and once again become a major hurricane, Category 3 or greater.

Parts of the highway near Hatteras Island are expected to flood by Wednesday afternoon as the storm inches north, and officials have warned that some parts could remain impassable for days.