NEW YORK, NY — Hurricane Erin passed offshore of the New York and New Jersey region early Thursday, sparing the area from a direct hit but unleashing powerful winds, flooding tides, and life-threatening surf conditions that will continue to hammer the coast into the weekend.

The massive storm system, which has remained offshore but maintained an expansive wind field, triggered a Coastal Flood Warning across Ocean, Atlantic, and southeastern Burlington counties in New Jersey. The warning, issued by the National Weather Service, remains in effect through 2 a.m. Saturday, as high tides push water levels 1 to 2 feet above ground level in vulnerable low-lying areas.

Widespread flooding has already been reported in coastal communities and along bayside neighborhoods, submerging roads and threa

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