Pounding surf and high winds from Hurricane Erin were expected to intensify Thursday as the powerful storm comes about as a close as it is going to get to the

A state of emergency has been declared in New Jersey and a coastal flood warning is in effect for the Jersey Shore as Hurricane Erin causes dangerous conditions.

Standing on the music pier Thursday morning listening to the percussive sounds of white caps stirred by Hurricane Erin crashing on pilings and storm drain pipes, they watched in wonder and hoped that any flooding would kindly avoid the house on 27th Street they bought 30 years ago.

Hurricane Erin may be 700 miles away, but our Jersey Shore beaches are taking no chances, banning swimming and surfing as dangerous surf conditions loom.