Hurricane Erin has begun to track into the Atlantic and away from the North Carolina, but storm surge warnings remain in place for parts of the state and the storms effects are still expected to be felt along the East Coast.

Manasquan

Hurricane Erin, currently classified as a Category 2 storm, is situated offshore and moving away from the US East Coast. Despite its distance from land, the hurricane is causing hazardous conditions including high waves, life-threatening rip currents, and strong winds that extend far from its center. Authorities in several states have responded by banning swimming at beaches and warning the public about the dangers of entering the water.

The storm's effects are being observed from the Carolinas up to New England, with wave heights reaching up to 20 feet in some areas and wind gusts exceeding 50 miles per hour. While Erin is expected to weaken as it continues into the Atlantic, the risk of dangerous surf and rip currents will persist for several days, particularly along the Jersey Shore and other coastal regions. Meanwhile, the western US is experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures and heat indices reaching hazardous levels.

Hurricane Erin sparks surge warnings as it moves off NC coast

But turning now to Hurricane Erin, which is creating dangerous conditions on the East Coast. The Category 2 storm is currently well offshore and moving away from the coastline, but officials in several states are not taking any chances, given that Erin is churning up life-threatening rip currents and damaging winds that extend hundreds of miles from its center. CBS News reporter Christine Sloan joins us from Manasquan, New Jersey. Christine, it looks very windy out there. What are the conditions like right now and some of the warnings that you're hearing from officials? Jerrica, it is very windy out here. And behind me, you can see those waves crashing into the rocks here at Manasquan Inlet Beach down the Jersey Shore. Some of these waves could be as high as 15 feet today. Now, the beach is pretty much empty, but there are some people out here taking photos of these massive waves. But here in Manasquan and at many Jersey Shore beaches, there is a ban on swimming in the ocean. Erin is creating life-threatening rip currents, rough surf, and as you said, gusty winds. You would normally see boats out here, but none to be found. Today, surfers are even staying out of the water. We could also see some coastal flooding down the Jersey Shore. And later this evening at high tide is when we'll find out if some of these communities down the Jersey Shore could see some water in their communities. Jerrica? Amazing, Christine, to see the impact that that can have so far away from the eye of the storm. Christine Sloan, thank you. Hurricane Erin has now made its closest pass to the eastern U.S. this morning and is currently moving out to the open waters of the Atlantic. The waves and winds will then weaken. But back on the mainland, extreme heat is impacting the western part of the United States with near-record temperatures expected through Saturday. CBS News Philadelphia meteorologist, Kate Bilow, has the forecast. Thank you so much. Yeah, the top story continues to be Hurricane Erin, but the good news, Erin is moving away. Let's take a look at the latest forecast of Erin, which is moving out into the open Atlantic. It will retain Category 2 strength, but gradually start to diminish and weaken as we head into tomorrow. And then by the weekend, it is long gone, which is good news. The problem is Erin is such a massive storm that even the impacts as it moves away will be felt from Nantucket, much of coastal New England, all the way down through the Jersey Shore and into the Hampton Roads area of Virginia after battering the outer banks of the Carolinas outside today. Let's take a look at these forecast wave heights. Again, 15 to 20 foot breaking waves still possible throughout the outer banks, but as Erin starts to move farther away to the north and east, those wave heights will diminish. We're expecting six to 12 foot breakers along the Jersey Shore and down through the Delaware beaches, likely similar up across portions of southern New England, and the winds are getting strong as well. Now, I do want to mention a high rip current risk will exist not only through the end of the week, but even into the weekend. So even as the forecast improves as Erin moves away, we do still have the threat for dangerous rip currents for any beach goers this weekend. Winds today gusting to 50 plus miles per hour from the outer banks all the way up into southern New England. As Erin moves away, that will start to improve by Friday. Just a quick look at the West. We have active heat alerts, extreme heat warnings for much of Southern Arizona and Southern California, where heat index values will top 110 and actual temperatures around 110 for three more days in Phoenix. I'll send it back to you. All right, thanks so much. Kate Bilo.

Russia carried out one of its largest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 15, marking Russia’s third-largest drone attack and eighth-largest missile assault this year.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia launches largest strike in weeks on Ukraine

A California parole board has decided that convicted killer Eric Menendez will remain in prison. On Friday, the board will hear the case of his brother Lyle Menendez, who was also convicted in the 1989 murder of their parents.

California

Erik Menendez loses parole bid, brother Lyle faces parole board Friday

The U.S. is sending three warships to the waters of Venezuela as part of a major counter-narcotics operation, a White House official confirms. CBS News senior national security correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports.

Washington

U.S. warships head to Venezuela to combat drug cartel threats

An eyewitness says American subcontractors at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites shot at Palestinians, a claim GHF denies.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Eyewitness claims U.S. subcontractors fired at Palestinians in Gaza

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill that will allow voters to decide on new congressional maps in November.

Newsom signs bill putting new California congressional maps on ballot

A New York appellate court threw out a $527 million penalty in the civil fraud case against President Trump and several others. CBS News' Aaron Navarro reports.

New York

Trump civil fraud case $527 million penalty thrown out

The U.S. and the European Union have locked in a framework trade deal that includes a 15% U.S. tariff on most EU imports, including autos, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.

Global Tariffs

U.S. and EU lock in trade deal

Israel says it began its military operation to take control of Gaza City. This comes after an apparent Hamas attack in Khan Younis targeting Israeli soldiers.

Jerusalem

Israel says it began Gaza City expansion

After weeks of pushback from Democrats, House Republicans in Texas have passed controversial legislation to redraw the state's congressional map, giving the GOP an advantage in multiple seats.

Austin

Texas House passes controversial GOP redistricting map

U.S. President Donald Trump’s top-down diplomacy has experts in Ukraine skeptical about whether there has been enough preparation for proposed talks to actually end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Moscow

Russia signals more talks needed before Zelenskyy-Putin meeting

The Texas House on Wednesday night passed a controversial, Republican-backed proposal to redraw the state's congressional maps. The bill now moves onto the Texas Senate. CBS News reporter Erica Brown has more.

Texas

Texas House approves GOP congressional redistricting map

Israel's military has called up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for an expected assault on Gaza City, as the Israeli government considered a new proposal for a ceasefire after nearly two years of war.

Israel calls up 60,000 reservists ahead of Gaza City operation

The Trump administration says it is adding 407 items to the list of "derivative" steel and aluminum products subject to higher tariffs. The list includes products like car parts, household appliances, baby strollers, fire extinguishers and spray deodorants.

Trump expanding steel and aluminum tariffs

NATO military chiefs met virtually Wednesday for what was described as a candid discussion about security guarantees the alliance would be willing to provide to Ukraine in an effort to end Russia's war in the region.

Brussels

NATO chiefs meet virtually about potential Ukraine security guarantees

Israel's military leaders approved the next phase of their ongoing offensive in the territory. The operation will shift focus to Gaza City, targeting areas where Hamas is believed to still be active and where Israeli forces have not yet operated.

Israel approves next phase of Gaza offensive, focus on Gaza City

Despite not making landfall, Hurricane Erin is forcing mandatory evacuation orders in parts of North Carolina and is expected to cause rip currents for days along the U.S. East Coast.

North Carolina

Hurricane Erin forces evacuations on U.S. East Coast

The White House says it is working to secure a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine, which both have agreed to, while plans continue to create security guarantees for Ukraine.

Trump says no U.S. ground troops will be sent to Ukraine

Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire proposal for Gaza, but mediators are still waiting for an official response from Israel. CBS News contributor Robert Berger has the latest from Jerusalem.

Mediators await Israeli response to Gaza ceasefire proposal

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met China’s top diplomat on Tuesday and hailed the “steady progress” made in improving the bilateral relationship after a yearslong standoff between the nuclear-armed Asian powers.

New Delhi

India's Modi meets China's foreign minister to rebuild ties

Texas Democrats who ended a walkout found themselves shadowed by law enforcement officers to keep them from repeating the protest that stalled Republican efforts to redraw congressional districts and fulfill President Donald Trump's desire to reshape U.S. House maps.

Police escort Texas Democrats to prevent new redistricting walkout

Air Canada has reached a tentative agreement with the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), ending the strike that began over the weekend involving 10,000 members and disrupted travel for more than 100,000 travelers per day.

Toronto

Air Canada reaches tentative agreement with flight attendant union

Exiled former Hong Kong lawmaker Ted Hui hailed Australia's grant of asylum status as a key acknowledgement of the territory's human rights infringements since its authorities quelled massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Hong Kong Island

Ex-Hong Kong lawmaker granted asylum by Australia

Forecasters are giving urgent warnings to millions of people who live along the East Coast as Hurricane Erin churns in the Atlantic. The storm will not make direct landfall but is expected to bring dangerous rip currents.

East Coast of the United States

Hurricane Erin to bring dangerous rip currents to U.S. East Coast

Jasveen Sangha, a Los Angeles woman known as the "Ketamine Queen," has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry. Sangha could face up to 45 years in prison.

Los Angeles

"Ketamine Queen" to plead guilty in Matthew Perry's death

European leaders who converged on the White House for talks on the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrated a united front regarding Ukraine's security on Monday, underscoring the issue as pivotal for the entire continent, not just Ukraine.

EU leaders show cautious optimism following Zelenskyy, Trump talks

As Hamas reportedly agreed to some ceasefire terms that would include the return of more hostages, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered troops to take more of Gaza.

Israel digs in on Gaza takeover as Hamas softens on ceasefire

President Donald Trump said that the United States would help Europe in providing security for Ukraine as part of any deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump tells Zelenskyy U.S. would help with security in a peace deal

Bolivia's presidential vote headed to an unprecedented runoff after elections Sunday that ended more than two decades of left-wing dominance in the Andean nation but signaled voters' trepidation about a major lurch to the right.

La Paz

Bolivia heads to runoff after historic defeat for the left

All Air Canada planes were grounded on Monday (August 18) after its 10,000 flight attendants refused a return-to-work mandate from the Canadian government.

Air Canada delays plans to resume operations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House Monday (August 18) for his meeting with President Donald Trump and other European leaders about Russia's war in Ukraine. CBS News White House reporter Taurean Small has more.

Breakdown