Rip currents are the third leading cause of deaths from hurricanes, and they can happen on a sunny day hundreds of miles from the storm.

After losing some intensity over the weekend, Erin strengthened back into a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, according to an 11 a.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Erin could bring severe danger to millions along the US East Coast as the latest storm-tracking models project it will become a major hurricane this weekend.

Two-and-a-half months into the season, the region has its first documented hurricane and it could impact Long Island beaches.