Strong winds and waves from Hurricane Erin have battered Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as dangerous rip currents continue to threaten from the Carolinas to New England

Hurricane Erin is bringing dangerous surf and rip currents to Massachusetts, prompting beach closures on the Islands and along the south coast.

Forecasters are warning swimmers early Friday that U.S. East Coast beaches will remain dangerous for the coming days, as Hurricane Erin continues its northeasterly flight from the United States.