DARE COUNTY, N.C. — Some Outer Banks residents are staying put despite Hurricane Erin prompting mandatory evacuations in the Outer Banks.

Local states of emergency have been declared in Dare County and Hyde County, and mandatory evacuations are in place for Ocracoke and Hatteras islands. More than 1,000 people left the Outer Banks on Monday.

During high tide on Tuesday evening, waves crashed against Buxton homes and hotels , and more of the same is expected to happen on Wednesday.

Local authorities said N.C. Highway 12 will likely be blocked off, and conditions are only expected to deteriorate on Wednesday and Thursday. Storm surge flooding and tropical storm conditions are expected, and the Outer Banks could see waves between 15 and 20 feet.

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