U.S. shores are unlikely to see a direct hit, but a strong offshore hurricane can produce massive and dangerous waves well away from its center.

Hurricane Erin has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane. A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands as winds and heavy rains continue to lash the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hurricane Erin became a major hurricane over the weekend and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. The system rapidly intensified from a tropical storm on Friday into a category 5 hurricane Saturday, gaining 90 miles per hour of sustained winds in just a 24 hour period.