Hurricane Erin has re-intensified into a category 4 major hurricane Sunday evening. Life threating surf and rip currents are likely across the East coast of the United States this week, as Hurricane Erin continues grow.

Hurricane Erin has intensified to a Category 4 storm affecting the Caribbean, impacting flights and cruise itineraries, with warnings issued for the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos, and it poses a significant coastal threat to the U.

Hurricane Erin has strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane as it threatens to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the eastern coast of the United States. The rains caused by the storm are already beginning to hit the south-eastern Bahamas, and the Turk and Caicos Islands, where a tropical storm warning is in effect.

Over the weekend, northern portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico are expected to receive tropical rain ranging from 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals up to 6 inches. Flash flooding, landslides and mudslides will be the main concerns over the next several days.

Hurricane Erin is forecast to remain well offshore but still bring hazardous currents and possible erosion like previous offshore hurricanes before it.

An updated forecast map from AccuWeather shows Erin is expected to reach Category 4 strength by Monday afternoon. A Category 4 hurricane has maximum sustained windspeeds between 1

Thousands of people are without power in Puerto Rico as Hurricane Erin batters the Caribbean. The storm is expected to bring rough conditions along the East Coast. CBS News New York's Ali Bauman reports.