A state of emergency has been declared in New Jersey and a coastal flood warning is in effect for the Jersey Shore as Hurricane Erin causes dangerous conditions.

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.

Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for New Jersey on Thursday afternoon as Hurricane Erin battered coastal communities with strong winds and waves that flooded streets and eroded beaches.

As a Navy veteran, Tom Ellis had seen more-impressive waves on the open seas — but not on the ocean in the popular barrier island town of Ocean City that he and his wife Pat call home. 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,

The State of Emergency went into effect at 2 p.m. as coastal and flash flooding, dangerous surf warnings and advisories, as well as high winds are expected for several counties across the Garden State.

Hurricane Erin's track is forecast to stay offshore, but the New York City area and Jersey Shore are still seeing some impact.

With the off-shore Hurricane Erin churning up the ocean and bringing strong winds and big waves to New Jersey today, forecasters have issued weather alerts across the state. Earlier this week, more than a dozen Jersey Shore beaches issued swimming bans as forecasters warned of life-threatening conditions for boaters and swimmers.

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