Hurricane Erin has quickly intensified to Category 5 strength as it churns through the Atlantic with sustained winds of 160 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported Saturday evening.

Hurricane Erin is forecast to move hundreds of miles offshore from the islands but the massive storm is still sending waves 20 feet (6 meters) or greater crashing over vulnerable sand dunes.

Although the monster storm is expected to stay offshore, evacuations were ordered on such barrier islands along the Carolina coast as Hatteras as authorities warned the storm could churn up dangerous...