Erin is the fifth named storm to develop during the Atlantic hurricane season, which started just over two months ago. Last week, Tropical Storm Dexter formed in the western Atlantic but didn't pose a threat to land. In early July, Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall on the Carolina coast, bringing deadly flooding to the region.

The storm brought heavy rain and wind over the weekend to parts of the Caribbean and it will send large swells up and down the East Coast, putting communities on alert for rip currents.