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.

Hurricane Erin is about 260 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and is quickly moving away from the East Coast. Erin is very large in size, with hurricane-force winds extending out to 105 miles from its center and tropical storm-force winds extending out to 320 miles from its center.

On Thursday, Hurricane Erin was several hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina and pushing storm surge and deadly rip currents toward the shore. Three other systems may form right behind.

Hurricane Erin caused flooding Thursday along coastal areas in Queens and on Long Island. Several streets were under water in Howard Beach, and there was significant flooding along a street in Far Rockaway. Erin churned dangerous waves and rip currents, but surfers just couldn't resist and took advantage of the large swells at Rockaway Beach.

The worst of hurricane Erin's effects may be over for Tri-State area residents but serious dangers still persist along coastlines prompting experts to urge caution as brighter and warmer weekend weath

Hurricane Erin has triggered a state of emergency in North Carolina, where residents and visitors along the Outer Banks are under evacuation orders.

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