MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Erin strengthened again Monday as it began pelting part of the Caribbean with rain and wind before it’s expected to create dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast this week.

The monster storm intensified to a Category 4 with 130 mph (215 kph) maximum sustained winds early Monday while it started to lash the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeast Bahamas, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Forecasters are confident that Erin will turn northeast and away from the eastern U.S., but it’s still expected to churn up dangerous waves and rip currents and could bring tropical force winds to North Carolina’s Outer Banks, said Dave Roberts of the National Hurricane Center.

Evacuations were ordered beginning Monday on Hatte

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