Hurricane Erin is a sprawling Category 4 storm churning in the Atlantic Monday after exploding in strength at a historic rate this weekend. The storm’s enormous footprint is becoming the biggest concern as it brings heavy rain and gusty winds to islands far from its center and threatens to drive life-threatening rip currents and towering waves toward the eastern US coastline and Bermuda,

Flooding, rip current and small craft weather alerts were issued by the NWS for South Jersey as result of Hurricane Erin.

Erin is the first hurricane to develop over the Atlantic this year, and meteorologists are closely tracking its path and forecast.

Coastal flood and beach erosion are also possible this week as Hurricane Erin passes far off the Jersey Shore.

Hurricane Erin, the first Atlantic hurricane of the year, is expected to bring life-threatening surf and rip currents to the U.S. eastern coastline, with the Outer Banks region of North Carolina

Additional strengthening is expected as the storm is forecast to “remain a large and dangerous major hurricane through the middle of this week,” the National Hurricane Center said.

As of the National Hurricane Center’s 8 a.m. advisory, the center of Erin was located about 115 miles north-northeast of Grand Turk Island and 890 miles

While Hurricane Erin is not expected to make landfall in Massachusetts, the National Weather Service says large waves and strong rip currents are expected to arrive along the coast Tuesday.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island residents should prepare for hazardous coastal conditions this week as Hurricane Erin approaches, with life-threatening surf and rip currents expected, according to the National Weather Service.

Rip currents and high surf are expected along Massachusetts' coast, and particularly at its south-facing beaches.

The storm will remain a major hurricane through the middle of the week, according to the National Hurricane Center.