Fuhrman noted that low tide is usually the most dangerous period, when rip currents pull the strongest.

Hurricane Erin pelted parts of the Caribbean and was forecast to create dangerous surf and rip currents along the U.S. East Coast this week.

Erin’s outer bands pelted parts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands with heavy rains and tropical-storm winds during the day Sunday.

Hurricane Erin chugged slowly toward the eastern U.S. coast Tuesday, stirring up treacherous waves that already have forced dozens of beach rescues days before the biggest storm surges are expected.

Hurricane Erin is growing larger, and its expected impact is likely to stretch far beyond its footprint.

Nevertheless, it said, heavy rain in some areas could trigger flash flooding, landslides and mudslides.