Hurricane Erin has weakened to a Category 1 storm after lashing North Carolina's Outer Banks with rough waves and coastal flooding, and bringing a threat of dangerous waves and potentially deadly rip currents to the East Coast.

Hurricane Erin’s passage far off shore created nearly perfect conditions for surfers along much of Florida’s coast. Miami Herald photographer Alie Skowronski spent Thursday morning on the beach in Stuart and caught amazing action on waves estimated at eight feet and higher.

Hurricane Erin was a Category 4 storm Monday morning and is expected to retain major hurricane status through the middle of the week.

Hurricane Erin is entering the first stages of a post-tropical transition as it continues to move away from the eastern coast of the United States.