Hurricane Erin is forcing evacuations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks as it churns in the Atlantic where high winds and heavy rain are pelting the Turks and Caicos Islands and parts of the Bahamas.

Erin is causing 'life-threatening surf and rip current conditions across almost the entire US East Coast," according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Erin is forcing evacuations on North Carolina's Outer Banks as it threatens to whip up wild waves and tropical force winds. Erin had lost some strength from previous days but was still a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph (165 kph),

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.

The 5 AM advisory on Tuesday shows that Erin continues to weaken, but it is still a major hurricane. Life-threatening surf and rip currents across the East Coast of the United States this week, as Erin passes off the coast.

Wrightsville Beach lifeguards have performed dozens of rescues since Monday as Hurricane Erin has caused rip currents along the North Carolina coast.

Hurricane Erin, now a Category 2 hurricane, has prompted a state of emergency in North Carolina and is expected to bring dangerous waves and rip currents to beaches along the East Coast.