The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two areas in the Atlantic Ocean for potential tropical development behind Hurricane Erin, with the closest area to watch expected to to track near Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

The first area has been under the eyes of the National Hurricane Center for a few days as it emerged off Africa’s west coast.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for North Carolina as Hurricane Erin churns up the east coast of the U.S. as a Category 2 storm.

The massive hurricane was picking up speed, traveling north at 14 mph, and its center was located about 295 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. A tropical storm warning is in effect for parts of North Carolina and Virginia as the impacts from Erin spread northward.

Hurricane Erin has battered North Carolina's Outer Banks with strong winds and waves that flooded part of the main highway and surged under beachfront homes.

Erin floods Hatteras, officials urge everyone to stay away from the water Hurricane Erin strengthens as it nears U.S. coast, pushing storm surge, dangerous rip currents ashore As the waters rise on Outer Banks,

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A tropical storm formed out in the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. While it may result in some rough surf, the storm will not set a course for the U.S., according to AccuWeather.

Forecasters are tracking two tropical disturbances behind Hurricane Erin, but neither shows signs of becoming an immediate threat to land. One system east of the Lesser Antilles has only a medium chance of development,