The Outer Banks are readying for strong impacts from Hurricane Erin offshore in the Atlantic. A Storm Surge Warning is in place for much of the North Carolina coastline. FOX Weather Meteorologist Stev

Hurricane Erin is moving closer to the U.S. coast at the start of the workweek. Strong wind and big waves will cause problems for our North Carolina beaches as summer vacations continue.

Much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks region is under a tropical storm watch with Hurricane Erin expected to skirt the area Wednesday through Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Over the past decade, rip currents have caused about 10% of U.S. fatalities from tropical storms and hurricanes.

On Thursday, Hurricane Erin was several hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina and pushing storm surge and deadly rip currents toward the shore. Two other systems may form right behind.

According to the National Weather Service, Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue is reporting very strong rip currents, and up to 70 rip current rescues have taken place on Monday, Aug. 18. Red flags are flying at Wrightsville Beach today, alerting beachgoers not to swim because of dangerous rip currents after 50 rip current rescues.