Chris upgraded to Category 1 hurricane

Hurricane Chris had maximum sustained winds of 85 mph as of 5 p.m. and was moving to the northeast at 10 mph.

"[It's] no longer stationary – definitive movement there," said WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel.

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Fishel said the storm became more organized during the afternoon, with a well-defined eye appearing. The storm will accelerate to the northeast, possibly being upgraded to a Category 2 hurricane early Wednesday before moving over colder water in the North Atlantic and weakens as it approaches the maritime provinces of Canada, he said.

The heavy surf generated by the hurricane will quickly move away from the North Carolina coast late Tuesday, Fishel said.

As TS Chris swirls in the Atlantic, rip currents, high surf reported along NC coast

Still, Gov. Roy Cooper and other state officials cautioned vacationers and coastal residents to monitor the storm.

"We are saddened that rough waters have tragically claimed a life, and I urge people along our coast to be cautious, especially if they plan to be in and on the water," Cooper said in a statement. "While we do not expect major impacts from this storm, we will continue to watch it closely."

"There's certainly a high rip current danger today and tomorrow for folks swimming at our coast," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.