Hurricane Erin brings large waves to coastal communities.

Major Hurricane Erin, the first hurricane of the Atlantic season, is churning near the southeast Bahamas. Hurricane Erin became a major hurricane in less than 24 hours after being a tropical storm on Saturday, reaching Category 5 status, but its winds have since weakened slightly to a Category 4.

The WindRadar shows Erin's gusts maxing out our legend, with sustained winds at 130 mph and higher gusts. Severe weather is threatening the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the southeastern Bahamas on Monday due to Erin's outer rain bands, gusty winds and heavy wave action.

In a wide right-hand turn, the hurricane is then expected to move between the East Coast and Bermuda, where it will slowly weaken over cooler waters. Hurricane Erin is not likely to make landfall anywhere; however, heavy waves, coastal erosion, and strong rip currents are expected along the East Coast and in Bermuda this week.

Those on last-minute summer vacations will want to monitor Erin's trajectory and forecast closely. Hatteras and Ocracoke islands in North Carolina's Outer Banks have mandatory evacuations due to Erin's close pass and expected large waves, coastal flooding, and gusty winds.