Hurricane Erin's higher tides and big waves are battering much of the East Coast, with the huge storm prompting the expansion of tropical storm and coastal flooding advisories on Wednesday.

With life-threatening surf and rip currents expected, beachgoers are urged to use caution. Several beach towns in the Wilmington area have issued advisories asking people not to go swimming.

With thousands of miles of ocean water above the 80-degree Fahrenheit temperature needed to fuel hurricanes, Cape Verde storms are some of the most dangerous that threaten North America. About 85% of ...