Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Erin, while staying hundreds of miles off the Jersey Shore, brings rough surf, windy conditions and the potential for widespread coastal flooding to the region.

Strong winds and waves from Hurricane Erin have battered Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as dangerous rip currents continue to threaten from the Carolinas to New England.

As Hurricane Erin churned off the North Carolina coast this week, its powerful waves destroyed most of the remaining sea turtle nests on Emerald Isle, dealing a blow to what had been shaping up as a successful nesting season.

Beachgoers walked backward on the sand toward the water in Rehoboth Beach, as a stiff northeast wind blew sand all over them. Many took videos, selfies and more, but few stayed on the windswept sand for more than a couple of minutes.

People along the Jersey Shore brace for the impact of Hurricane Erin with concerns of high tides, rough surfs and beach erosion.

According to the Action News Jax First Alert Weather Team, waves are expected to get even larger by later this evening. Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue tells me they do not recommend people go into the water,