By ALLEN G. BREED and JOHN SEEWER - Associated Press

RODANTHE, N.C. — From Florida to New England, people trying to enjoy the last hurrahs of summer along the coast were met with rip current warnings, closed beaches and in some cases already treacherous waves as Hurricane Erin inched closer Wednesday.

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. Life-threatening surf and 100 mph (155 kph) winds will lash the East Coast, National Weather Service forecasters warned Wednesday.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has urged people to stay out of the water until the storm passes.

New York City closed its beaches to swimming on We

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