Lifeguards rescue more than 50 people as Henri whips up currents across NC beaches

Henri strengthened into a Category 1 Hurricane on Saturday morning, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph, moving away from North Carolina.

Even though the storm is moving away from our coast, meteorologist Zach Maloch warns its best not to get in the water. Rough surf from Henri is causing a high rip current risk across the entire state. Already on Friday, more than 50 people had to be rescued from the ocean along North Carolina's coast.

"If the red flags are flying, do not swim. It's likely to be unsafe to go out boating as well," said WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.

Henri was organizing on Saturday night, and "trying to form an eye" according to Maloch. If it does, it could help the storm intensify.

The third named hurricane of the season is moving north and will possibly make landfall in the eastern tip of Long Island or the Connecticut-Rhode Island border.

Heavy rainfall may lead to flash flooding and bring storm surge to parts of Long Island, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

According to WRAL meteorologist Aimee Wilmoth, at this point last year, we were already on the "L" storm, "so the tropics are running a little behind compared to what we experienced last year."

After Henri dissipates, there will be a brief lull in the tropics thanks to the Saharan dust, which, with its dry air, prevents tropical systems from developing by limiting their moisture potential.