Researchers at Virginia Tech say while rapid intensification of hurricanes, such as Hurricane Erin, is common, we are seeing higher rates than in the past. As Hurricane Erin moves through the Atlantic and is forecasted to create dangerous rip currents along the East Coast,

Erin weakened to a Category 3 hurricane on Sunday, its outer bands lashing the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as forecasters warned of a growing risk of life-threatening surf and rip currents along the U.

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. While forecasters remain confident the center of the monster storm will remain far offshore,