Hurricane Erin has weakened to a Category 1 storm after lashing North Carolina's Outer Banks with rough waves and coastal flooding, and bringing a threat of dangerous waves and potentially deadly rip currents to the East Coast.

Increased surf and dangerous rip currents are expected to continue along the eastern seaboard as Hurricane Erin moves into the North Atlantic.

Hurricane Erin’s passage far off shore created nearly perfect conditions for surfers along much of Florida’s coast. Miami Herald photographer Alie Skowronski spent Thursday morning on the beach in Stuart and caught amazing action on waves estimated at eight feet and higher.