Mandatory evacuation orders are in place along the Outer Banks of North Carolina amid fears a few islands may get cut off from the main highway.

Hurricane Erin's outer bands were beginning to lash the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands early Monday after regaining Category 4 strength overnight.

Dare County, North Carolina, declared an emergency and ordered an evacuation beginning Monday of Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks.