Hundreds of thousands of beachgoing tourists were keeping a watchful eye on massive Hurricane Erin on Tuesday, Aug. 19, as large waves and rough surf driven by the powerful storm were taking aim at the Atlantic Coast from central Florida to Canada.

Additional strengthening is expected as the storm is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly intensified Friday night, with the storm now reaching Category 5 strength with sustained winds of 160 mph.

Tracking Hurricane Erin, the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which weakened to a Category 3 storm early Sunday.

Hurricane Erin is expected to grow both larger and stronger today. A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic has a 50% chance for development over the next seven days. The next named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season will be Fernand.

The North Carolina Outer Banks region can expect life-threatening surf and rip currents from Hurricane Erin this week. Coastal flooding, beach erosion and coastal winds will also be present.