Local authorities in Delaware and Maryland have decided to ban surfing well ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Erin, an unfortunate first for regional surfers.

Meteorologists are closely tracking the projected path and forecast of Hurricane Erin, which is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year.

"Outer bands of large Hurricane Erin nearing the North Carolina Outer Banks,'' the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. ET update, pointing out swimming at most East Coast beaches is strongly discouraged "due to life-threatening surf and rip currents." Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Dewey Beach closed ocean access around 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18 "due to rip currents and dangerous waves," the town's website says. In Rehoboth Beach, officials prohibited swimming around the same time. You can still walk on both beaches.

Hurricane Erin is still headed north, slowly powering up the Atlantic. While on average a hurricane moves at 15 to 20 mph, Erin, a Category 4 storm, has been moving at 10 mph, sometimes slower, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Get an abbreviated, text view of what's happening with Hurricane Erin. Hurricane Erin strengthened as it took a turn to the north Wednesday and conditions are expected to deteriorate soon in North Carolina's Outer Banks,

Hurricane Erin is whipping up the Atlantic Ocean at speeds over 100 miles per hour. The trajectory of the storm has it staying out to sea, though many effects will be felt close to shore and on land.