Hurricane Erin is forcing evacuations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks as it threatens to whip up wild waves and tropical force winds.

Much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is under a tropical storm watch with Hurricane Erin expected to skirt the area Wednesday through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Erin has prompted mandatory evacuations in the Outer Banks. Avon, Kill Devil Hills, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island and Rodanthe are under mandatory evacuations along with Dare and Hyde counties.