Hurricane Erin is causing dangerous rip currents and high surf at beaches along the East Coast, and some areas could see coastal flooding over the coming days. The flood risk increases Thursday, when high waves coincide with high tide along the Jersey Shore and New York's south-facing beaches.

While forecasters remain confident that the center of the monster storm will stay far offshore, the outer edges are expected to bring high winds, large swells and life-threatening rip currents into Friday.

The National Hurricane Center is urging beachgoers to stay out of the water. Parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks are under mandatory evacuation orders.