Hurricane Erin weakened to a Category 3 hurricane during the early hours of Aug. 19 as it moves closer to the East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical storm force winds and surge conditions predicted to increase in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina and portions of coastal Virginia throughout Wednesday

For people living along the Delaware River, 1955 has become the measuring stick for flooding and property damage. The highwater mark of 43.7 feet at Easton caused by Hurricane Diane on Aug. 18-19, 1955, remains a record. But it is not alone. A series of three major floods between 2004 and 2006 similarly shocked the region.

Erin has become the first hurricane of the Atlantic season with strong waves and rip currents possible along the East Coast of the United States as early as next week.

Hurricane Erin, which formed on August 11 and quickly intensified, is expected to largely impact the Outer Banks region of North Carolina and portions of coastal Virginia — though forecasters warn the storm’s impacts will also be felt in the northeast.