The already sprawling storm will grow larger as it hurls the ocean toward the East Coast and Bermuda, and it could have company this week.

“Erin is a large hurricane,” forecasters said, noting that hurricane-force winds extend up to 80 miles from the storm’s center, with tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 205 miles.

Millions of people up and down the East Coast have been told to prepare for impacts from Hurricane Erin as the monster Category 2 hurricane continues on its journey across the Atlantic, bringing it close to the U.

Additional strengthening is expected as the storm is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said.

For the latest news on Hurricane Erin, visit USA TODAY's coverage for Tuesday, Aug. 19. Hurricane Erin fluctuated in intensity on Monday and expanded in size as people fled North Carolina's Outer Banks and forecasters warned of "life-threatening" rip currents and surf conditions along most of the East Coast.