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.

Hurricane Erin pounded the North Carolina coast with strong waves and gusty winds as it began to move out to sea Thursday. It was still considered dangerous for beachgoers along the U.S. East Coast. Erin lost some strength Tuesday and dropped to a Category 2 hurricane as it moved northward,