A tropical storm warning has been issued for North Carolina as Hurricane Erin churns up the east coast of the U.S. as a Category 2 storm.

Hurricane Erin is bringing strong waves and life-threatening rip currents to the Atlantic coast, including Florida, leading to warnings in some areas as the storm moves east of the U.S. over the Atlantic.

NHC forecasters said Wednesday that beachgoers should avoid swimming "at most U.S. East Coast beaches" due to life-threatening surf and rip currents.