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.

Hurricane Erin battered North Carolina's Outer Banks with strong winds and waves that flooded part of the main highway and surged under beachfront homes as the monster storm inched closer to the mid-Atlantic coast.

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.

Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in New Jersey, effective at 2 PM local time on Thursday, as the state prepares for Hurricane Erin

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

The order went into effect at 2 p.m. today as officials anticipate flooding, dangerous surf and high winds across the state.

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,