Hurricane Erin has begun to move away from the North Carolina coast, the National Hurricane Center said in an Aug. 21 advisory.

Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

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.

Tropical storm conditions and coastal flooding are expected to appear in areas along the Outer Banks starting late Wednesday.

Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

Hurricane Erin's higher tides and big waves are battering much of the East Coast, with the large storm prompting the expansion of tropical storm and coastal flooding advisories Wednesday. Beachfront property owners are bracing for the worst amid predictions of a storm surge of up to 4 feet and significant coastal erosion.