Huge breaking waves along the Jersey Shore, coupled with strong rip currents, will be very dangerous to anyone in the ocean, officials warn.

Beaches along the New Jersey coast and in Delaware were closed Tuesday as the powerful storm churned in the Atlantic. New York City announced its beaches would close on Wednesday and Thursday.

Hurricane Erin is expected to bring life-threatening rip currents and high surf to New York and New Jersey shores for the rest of the week, and authorities are advising people to stay out of the water even when lifeguards are present.

A coastal flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Mount Holly at 5:31 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21.

Jersey Shore officials are pleading with the public to avoid swimming in the ocean when no lifeguards are around, especially now with Hurricane Erin.