Even more significant is Erin’s massive size. Forecasters say hurricane-force winds are now stretching out as far as 105 miles from Erin’s center, and tropical storm-force winds extend outward to 265 miles.

Beaches are being closed at some locations along the US East Coast as Hurricane Erin threatens rip currents from Florida to New England.

As the edges of Hurricane Erin get closer to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, much attention has been placed on Highway 12, a roughly 150-mile-long byway that connects that state’s islands and peninsulas. It is beloved by locals and tourists because of its scenic views of the ocean, sand dunes and old lighthouses.

FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin reports from the Point Pleasant Boardwalk in New Jersey where beaches are closed ahead of Hurricane Erin. The hurricane is forecast to bring the biggest waves to the Jersey shore beginning Thursday.

North Carolina’s coastal communities are already seeing storm-related flooding. Here’s what meteorologists expect on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The center of Hurricane Erin is east of Florida and Palm Beach County on Wednesday, Aug. 20, as it continues to move north-northwest.

For the third day in a row, most Delaware beach towns have prohibited swimming due to rough surf and rip tides from Hurricane Erin.