To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — Hurricane Earl is continuing its run toward North Carolina's coast.

The storm has already prompted some evacuations along the Outer Banks. On Tuesday, Hyde County officials began evacuating Ocracoke Island. On Wednesday, Dare County ordered mandatory evacuations for Hatteras Island visitors and residents. Thursday, they issued an evacuation throughout the whole county.

n the beaches, visitors are already seeing some effects of Earl where the storm is expected to bring heavy rains and high winds. Lifeguards closed the beaches to swimming Tuesday because of nasty rip currents from Hurricane Earl.

“They're bobbing around in the sand bar where its this deep on them and then all of the sudden they drift off the back side of the sand bar and now they're in 8 feet of water and its taking them out farther. It'll sneak up on you real quick," said Lifeguard David Phillips.

Some tourists said they're watching the storm but they aren't going to let it stop their family vacation. The Grimm family came down from Pittsburgh and it's their first time at the Outer Banks.

"They're saying Saturday is supposed to be beautiful so we're going to hang out and try to make the most of the rest of our vacation," said Leslie Grimm, vacationer.

Emergency management officials said they don't want the storm to ruin people's Labor Day trips, they simply want people to be smart.