RODANTHE, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Erin is starting to churn up big waves along the northeast coast after pelting North Carolina’s Outer Banks with strong winds and swells that flooded a few places on the barrier islands. The unusually large hurricane slowly began to move away from the East Coast on Thursday. Forecasters say it will slowly weaken over the next few days while turning farther out to sea. The menacing waves closed beaches from the Carolinas to New York City on Thursday. Along the North Carolina shoreline, the storm breached sand dunes on Hatteras Island. But it appears the low-lying islands dodged widespread destruction during its initial brush with Erin on Wednesday. (Photo: AP)