A powerful storm named Hurricane Erin is churning slowly off the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast. Its presence is already being felt. Huge, dangerous waves have forced officials to close beaches all the way from the Carolinas to New York City. The message is clear: the ocean is not safe for swimming right now.
Forecasters at the U.S. weather center say Erin is regaining its strength. They expect it to become a major hurricane within the next two days. The good news is that the storm is not predicted to make a direct hit on the East Coast. Its current path shows it will likely curve back out into the open sea before reaching land.
Even without a direct hit, the hurricane remains a serious threat. Officials are warning that the powerful waves could flood and cut off roads along the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There is also a life-threatening danger from rip currents. This risk extends along a massive stretch of coastline, from Florida all the way up to New England.
Meanwhile, weather experts are keeping a close watch on the tropics. The National Hurricane Center reports that it is also monitoring two other tropical weather systems. These are currently located farther east out in the Atlantic, behind Hurricane Erin.
Source: AP