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 made its closest approach to the tristate late on Thursday, delivering dangerous rip currents, rough surf, and coastal flooding along our shores. Conditions will improve as we head toward the weekend,

RELATED: Erosion, flooding: Hurricane Erin threatens Ocean County beaches RELATED: Hurricane Erin whips up surf and sand on New Jersey coast Beaches along the coast were closed to swimming on Thursday due to the rough surf from the storm. “These waves ...

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,

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency Thursday afternoon in anticipation of Hurricane Erin, which is moving up the East Coast.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Erin brings high surf and dangerous rip currents to beaches along the East Coast. Lonnie Quinn, John Elliott, Christine Sloan and Jennifer McLogan have First Alert Weather Team coverage.