H urricane Erin, now a Category 2 hurricane, has prompted a tropical storm watch for North Carolina's Outer Banks and is expected to bring dangerous waves and rip currents to beaches along the East Coast. While the storm won't make landfall on the East Coast, it has prompted mandatory evacuations for some Outer Banks residents and visitors.

Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

Hurricane Erin is moving through the Atlantic off the East Coast of the U.S. Dangerous conditions are expected from Florida to Maine. FOX Weather's Robert Ray is in Isle of Palms, South Carolina, where massive swells and gusty winds are starting to take shape.

Unfortunately, a portion of the evacuation news is entirely accurate. Hurricane Erin does pose a threat as it moves through the Caribbean and toward Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Erin is churning slowly toward the eastern U.S. coast and stirring up waves that already have forced residents of North Carolina's Outer Banks to evacuate.

Hurricane Erin is going to be moving north through the Atlantic Ocean. It will have some affect on our next storm system.

Governor Josh Stein has declared a State of Emergency as the state prepares for Hurricane Erin. According to a press release, the emergency declaration will help mobilize resources and personnel to assist along the coast.

The beaches at Assateague Island and Ocean City, Maryland, are closed due to dangerous rip currents and high surf brought on by Hurricane Erin.