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.

Hurricane Erin passed offshore of the New York and New Jersey region early Thursday, sparing the area from a direct hit but unleashing powerful

Hurricane Erin is hundreds of miles away from the tri-state area, but the monster storm is directly impacting the region with life-threatening rip currents, huge waves and strong winds. Beaches across New York and New Jersey are closed to swimming through at least Thursday,

Today's weather will be cloudy, windy, and drizzly. The ocean is downright dangerous as rip current and storm surge concerns peak.

Hurricane Erin’s drive-by impacts are forecast to generate multiple rounds of flooding in New Jersey beach towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point, and tropical storm warnings were in effect for the nearshore waters.

While Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall in New Jersey, the storm is generating large waves and powerful rip currents.