Hurricane Erin's winds drop to Category 3
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Dare County officials declared a state of emergency Sunday evening as they say Hurricane Erin is forecast to bring life-threatening impacts to the Outer Banks.
Hurricane Erin strengthened 85 mph in 24 hours to a 160 mph Category 5 hurricane putting in fourth place for rapidly intensifying storms.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 140 mph, with higher gusts. Erin is a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some additional strengthening is expected today. Erin will remain a dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week.
Muggy conditions continue this evening, with pop up showers and storms dwindling as we get later into the night. Lows will only get down to the low to mid 70s. Continuing to track Hurricane Erin.