Federal forecasters are warning people to avoid beaches along the East Coast as Hurricane Erin moves north and slams much of the shoreline with dangerous waves and other severe weather.

Though the massive storm was roughly 365 miles from Cape Hatteras, N.C., as of 11 a.m. ET , the effects of Erin will be felt onshore starting Wednesday, with strong winds and the potential for flooding in the forecast for North Carolina and Virginia and life-threatening rip currents expected in several states.

"Beachgoers are urged to follow information from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags," the National Hurricane Center said in a post on X . "The best advice? Stay out of the water!"

Mandatory evacuations are in place for parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks, which was set t

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