Hurricane Erin Churns Up Dangerous Waves Along U.S. East Coast

EAST COAST – Hurricane Erin is tracking dangerously close to the U.S. East Coast, prompting evacuations along North Carolina’s Outer Banks and sparking rip current warnings from Florida up to New England.

North Carolina’s governor has declared a state of emergency, urging residents to prepare for possible evacuations.

Reports indicate at least 60 swimmers have been rescued in the state, while New York and New Jersey have closed beaches to swimming through Thursday.

Now a Category 2 storm, Erin recently lashed parts of the Turks and Caicos and brushed past the Bahamas before turning north.

Forecasters warn that the hurricane’s vast wind field, spanning more than 200 miles, could drive storm surges up to 15 feet on barrier islands and produce 10-foot waves off the coast of Massachusetts.