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

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.

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.

Hurricane Erin's path will not bring its strongest winds ashore. However, it continues to grow in size, and its impacts from high surf, rip currents and coastal flooding are already increasing along parts of the East Coast.

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.

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