While the SouthCoast is likely to be spared landfall from Hurricane Erin as it churns past the Bahamas, the National Weather Service is warning that it may cause dangerously high surf later this week.

Hurricane Erin could bring large amounts of rain to the UK into next week.

The authorities there have ordered a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island, warning that the main highway linking Hatteras to other islands could become impassable.

Dare County in North Carolina has declared a state of emergency and issued a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island.

After exploding in strength at a historic rate this weekend, Hurricane Erin is now a sprawling Category 4 storm churning in the Atlantic.

The hurricane is threatening the Turks and Caicos and the southern Bahamas with severe weather on Monday.

“Erin will be felt even though Erin is forecast to stay well offshore,” the weather service said early Monday.

The national weather forecasters are warning of potentially “life-threatening surf and rip currents” as Hurricane Erin makes its way along the U.S.’s eastern coastline in the coming days.

Coastal flooding, particularly along North Carolina's Outer Banks, is expected to begin Tuesday and peak Wednesday into Thursday, with portions of highway at risk of ocean overwash.