As Hurricane Erin tracks northward in the Atlantic, its broad wind field is expected to churn up rough seas and dangerous rip currents along Florida’s east coast this week, forecasters and county officials warned.

ORLANDO, Fla. — On Wednesday, the Florida east coast is likely to experience a high risk of rip currents as Major Hurricane Erin gets closer. Hurricane Erin, now classified as a major hurricane, is under close observation by Hurricane Hunters. The storm’s wind field has grown to about 400 miles with tropical storm-force winds.

Hurricane Erin strengthened 85 mph in 24 hours to a 160 mph Category 5 hurricane putting in fourth place for rapidly intensifying storms.

Storms are developing off the coast of Martin County, which will track inland within the next couple of hours.

This past weekend, Hurricane Erin went through one of the most rapid intensifications of any Atlantic hurricane on record. Climate change and other factors may make such leaps more common in

5 p.m. Update: Erin is now organizing and strengthening over the Central Atlantic. Erin is expected to become at least a Catgory 3 hurricane but missing Puerto Rico to the north and staying well east of Florida. It is expected to reach Jacksonville’s latitude about early Wednesday, resulting in some rough seas and surf at area beaches next week.

Hurricane Erin forced tourists to cut their vacations short on North Carolina’s Outer Banks even though the monster storm is expected to stay offshore after lashing part of the Caribbean with rain and wind on Monday.