CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gov. Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency on Tuesday as North Carolina braces for Hurricane Erin , which is expected to intensify and threaten the coast with flooding, dangerous surf and powerful winds.

During a media briefing with other state officials on Wednesday, Stein urged everyone under evacuation orders to leave the coast as soon as possible.

"I want to emphasize the importance of taking this storm seriously because it's a serious storm and conditions can deteriorate quickly," Stein said.

Stein emphasized the serious nature of the approaching storm and the state's preparations. As of 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Erin is a powerful Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph. The storm is located about 365 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Caro

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