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.

The National Weather Service is strongly urging beachgoers to stay out of the water in coming days in New Jersey and Delaware as Hurricane Erin churns up dangerous rip currents off coast.

Standing on the music pier Thursday morning listening to the percussive sounds of white caps stirred by Hurricane Erin crashing on pilings and storm drain pipes, they watched in wonder and hoped that any flooding would kindly avoid the house on 27th Street they bought 30 years ago.

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

Cape Hatteras, NC — Hurricane Erin continued its northward churn through the Atlantic on Tuesday, threatening dangerous surf and coastal flooding from the Bahamas to the U.S. East Coast, as tropical storm warnings and storm surge alerts were issued for parts of North Carolina’s Outer Banks ahead of the storm’s closest approach late Wednesday.

Hurricane Erin's higher tides and big waves are battering much of the East Coast, with the huge storm prompting the expansion of tropical storm and coastal flooding advisories on Wednesday. Beachfront property owners braced for the worst amid predictions of a storm surge of up to 4 feet and significant coastal erosion.

Hurricane Erin continues its northerly track and is set to deliver impacts to the beaches in New Jersey and Delaware.