Hurricane Erin threatened North Carolina's coast Wednesday with huge waves and flooding, as the strengthening Category 2 storm triggered mandatory evacuation orders despite its offshore path.

At least 18 youth summer camps across North Carolina stand on or are very near federally designated floodways and flood zones, according to state and federal maps reviewed by The News & Observer. Three of those are located in high flood risk areas, as defined by federal regulators.

At 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday, the NWS Wakefield VA issued a flood advisory in effect until 8:45 p.m. The advisory is for Camden, Chowan, Gates, Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.

Hurricane Erin continues to spin in the Atlantic and is forecast to grow even larger, with weather conditions expected to deteriorate along N.C.

"Extreme beach and coastal damage is likely along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property," weather forecasters said about a Hurricane Erin impact on the OBX and other North Carolina coastal areas.

A flood warning is in place from the North Carolina state line to Conway due to elevated water levels in the Waccamaw River. Horry County Emergency Management officials said Saturday the Waccamaw appears to have crested in the Longs area and continues to fall,

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein warns residents to take Hurricane Erin "seriously" as the Category two storm forces evacuations and beach closings.