Hurricane Erin is creating dangerous beach conditions along the U.S. East Coast. High winds and waves are expected in North Carolina by Wednesday night.

Erin was a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday but its winds picked up and it could strengthen again to a higher category.

The National Hurricane Center says it will weaken by Friday. Erin is not expected to make landfall in the U.S., but authorities warn of dangerous surf and rip currents. Evacuations have been ordered along parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

In Virginia Beach, Virginia, surfer Henry Thompson was out early Wednesday in search of a good wave.

“Catching a wave is really fun, you gotta sit and wait for them... once you catch it you get up and you kind of just hold on and try not to fall. Some people go to the air and do tricks and stuff like that," he said

Officials have prohibited swimming at beaches in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey through Thursday due to treacherous waters.

AP Video shot by Ben Finley

Production by Ty ONeil