On Aug. 21, the Jersey Shore and other beaches area will see "significant coastal hazards" as a result of Hurricane Erin, according to the NWS forecast. The agency issued a wind advisory between 10 a.m. and midnight from Ocean County southward, with sustained winds of 25-35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph.

Those traveling down the shore today and this weekend are still advised to be mindful of powerful rip currents and safety warnings despite the weather appearing to be calmer Friday. Stay out of the water until it is fully safe.

Gov. Phil Murphy has declared a State of Emergency in response to potential coastal and flash flooding triggered by Hurricane Erin. The State of Emergency went into effect at 2 p.m. Thursday. High surf and rip currents are also expected.

Earlier this week, more than a dozen Jersey Shore beaches issued swimming bans as forecasters warned of life-threatening conditions for boaters and swimmers. Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency across all of New Jersey on Thursday.

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.

This page summarizes news on Erin for Wednesday, Aug. 20. For the latest news on Hurricane Erin, visit USA TODAY's coverage for Thursday, Aug. 21. Hurricane Erin's higher tides and big waves are battering much of the East Coast,