Forecasters: Hurricane Igor likely to generate dangerous rip currents along US East Coast

Igor may cause rip currents along US East Coast

MIAMI — Forecasters say Hurricane Igor has spun into a major storm and is threatening to generate life-threatening rip currents along the U.S. East Coast over the weekend.

The National Hurricane Center said late Wednesday that Igor’s winds were at 135 mph (215 kph). It was far out at sea and almost a thousand miles southeast of Bermuda, so was not an immediate threat to land. Hurricane-force winds are extending out 45 miles (75 kilometers) from the center of the storm.

However, forecasters say large swells and high surf from the Category 4 storm are expected to affect the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and the East Coast by Thursday.

Igor is expected to generate dangerous rip currents that can quickly carry swimmers out to sea.