Even though the storm is moving away from the U.S. East Coast, tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the Outer Banks, where wind gusts greater than 40 mph are likely. Additionally, waves up to 20 feet are possible in the area on Thursday.

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.

Strong waves from Hurricane Erin knocked a North Carolina man off his feet on Wednesday as he filmed the impacts of the storm brewing in the Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Erin is moving away from the U.S. coast. Surf and seas remain a problem for our North Carolina beaches as summer vacations continue.

North Carolina expects coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical-storm-force winds and tidal and storm surges for much of the state shoreline, especially the Outer Banks, as well as life-threatening rip currents for most of the week, Stein said, adding, "No one should be in the ocean."

Hurricane Erin is expected to impact the Outer Banks in North Carolina, sending massive waves crashing into the islands.

Tropical storm conditions were descending upon the North Carolina coast late Wednesday, according to forecasters.

Hurricane Erin produced high surf off the coast of North Carolina. Herman Hall, Stoke Dispenser in Chief at the Kitty Hawk Kayak & Surf School, spoke about how the high surf conditions have affected surfers.