Coastal flood and beach erosion are also possible this week as Hurricane Erin passes far off the Jersey Shore.

Additional strengthening is expected as the storm is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said.

Hurricane Erin is expected to bring dangerous surf at the Jersey Shore even as it stays off of the coast. Lifeguards are issuing renewed advice about what to do if you get caught in a rip current.

A surprising expansion of Hurricane Erin is helping to throw clouds along the coast for the next three days, changing what cosmic sights you'll get to behold.

Flooding, rip current and small craft weather alerts were issued by the NWS for South Jersey as result of Hurricane Erin.

Tragedy strikes the Jersey Shore as two drownings prompt urgent safety warnings from officials. With Hurricane Erin approaching, swimmers are reminded to stay close to lifeguards and heed caution.

“Certainly, Erin is not helping,” said Mike Lee, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Mount Holly. But the surf on Monday primarily was being stirred by strong onshore winds, gusting up to 35 mph, behind a front that came through Sunday night and triggered surprising downpours in parts of the region.

Hurricane Erin has strengthened to a dangerous Category 5 storm, but remains on track to just send dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore.