Maria upgraded again to hurricane status

Maria has regained strength and is again a hurricane as its outer bands batter North Carolina’s Outer Banks, according to the National Hurricane Center Wednesday morning. The center of the storm, which has sustained winds of 75 mph, is lingering about 165 miles off Cape Hatteras. Storm surges and winds are lashing the state’s barrier islands, causing ocean waters to wash over part of N.C. 12, the main road running along the Outer Banks. State officials warn of severe beach erosion. Earlier this week, more than 10,000 visitors were forced to evacuate Ocracoke and Hatteras islands. All ferries in the Pamlico Sound were suspended Wednesday due to storm conditions.