'Take This Seriously': See Latest Hurricane Erin Track As It Moves North

Hurricane Erin is growing in size and heading north. It will be closest to New Jersey on Thursday, churning up winds of up to 50 mph, life-threatening rip currents, widespread coastal flooding and beach erosion.

A separate storm system Wednesday is bringing rain across the Garden State. As it interacts with Erin, it could cause isolated flash flooding, National Weather Service forecasters said.

"Significant coastal hazards" are anticipated starting Wednesday through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Many Jersey Shore beaches have already closed to swimming due to life-threatening rip currents this week.

"This is no time to be complacent," Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday. "I would just say to you flat out, don't go in the water."

The closed beaches include:

• Atlantic City: Knee-deep bathing only, no boogie boards, expected to be in place all week
• Avon: Expected to be in place all week
• Bay Head: No swimming Wednesday
• Beach Haven: Until further notice
• Belmar: Expected to be in place all week
• Berkeley: Amherst Beach closed Wednesday and Thursday
• Bradley Beach: Expected to be in place all week
• Brick
• Brigantine: Expected to be in place all week
• Cape May: Until further notice
• Harvey Cedars: Until further notice
• Island Beach State Park: No swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, mobile sport fishing vehicle access through at least Thursday
• Long Beach Township: Until further notice
• Long Branch: Through Friday
• Mantoloking: No beach or water access through at least Friday
• Margate: Until further notice
• Jenkinson's at Point Pleasant: Until further notice
• Point Pleasant: Maryland Avenue beach closed Wednesday and Thursday
• Ocean City: Until further notice
• Ocean Grove: Expected to be in place all week
• Seaside Heights: Expected to be in place all week
• Seaside Park: Expected to be in place all week
• Ship Bottom: Until further notice
• South Seaside Park: Until further notice
• Ventnor: Until further notice
• Wildwoods: No swimming, surfing until further notice

The hurricane will be closest to New Jersey on Thursday. "While the center of the storm will pass about 350-450 miles south and east of our area, it will be rapidly expanding in size with its tropical storm force wind field reaching just offshore of our coasts," the National Weather Service said. "Our region is expected to see gusty winds, minor to moderate tidal flooding, high surf, and life threatening rip currents."

A High Surf Advisory and High Rip Current Risk Statement are in effect for all Jersey Shore beaches through Friday. Also, a Wind Advisory is in effect for all coastal zones from Ocean County south.

Erin is also expected to cause coastal flooding, inundating roads and some structures near the ocean, back bays and tidal waterways. Significant beach erosion is also possible.

"Please, please, please take this seriously," Murphy urged. "Particularly push back on complacency, on the human nature of 'gosh, it's beautiful outside. Let's sneak a quick dip in the water.' This is not the week to do that."