The National Weather Service has issued a high surf advisory and high rip current risk for New Jersey beaches.

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.

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.

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

For the latest news on Hurricane Erin, visit USA TODAY's coverage for Tuesday, Aug. 19. Hurricane Erin fluctuated in intensity on Monday and expanded in size as people fled North Carolina's Outer Banks and forecasters warned of "life-threatening" rip currents and surf conditions along most of the East Coast.

Hurricane Erin is a sprawling Category 4 storm churning in the Atlantic Monday after exploding in strength at a historic rate this weekend. The storm’s enormous footprint is becoming the biggest concern as it brings heavy rain and gusty winds to islands far from its center and threatens to drive life-threatening rip currents and towering waves toward the eastern US coastline and Bermuda,

Hurricane Erin has surged to Category 4 storm status and could bring dangerous surf and rip currents to the Jersey Shore next week as it remains far out to see.