Life-threatening surf and rip currents are likely across the East Coast of the United States this week, as Hurricane Erin continues to grow.

Hurricane Erin's outer bands were beginning to lash the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands early Monday after regaining Category 4 strength overnight.

Hurricane Erin lashed parts of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where strong winds left thousands of people without power. The storm is not expected to make landfall in the US, but dangerous surf warnings have been issued along the country's east coast.

Hurricane hunters from NOAA and U.S. Air Force released a video of the moment they flew into the eye of Category 4 storm Hurricane Erin

Hurricane hunters with the NOAA flew through Hurricane Erin after it rapidly intensified into a rare Category 5 hurricane. Erin is expected to continue to fluctuate in intensity as it undergoes an eyewall replacement cycle.

Hurricane Erin lashes Bahamas and Turks and Caicos with winds, rain, and flooding as forecasters track a new Atlantic tropical threat.