High winds and the risk of rip currents and coastal flooding arrived on the Jersey Shore Saturday as Tropical Storm Hermine moved into the area.

Earlier in the day, Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency for Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean counties.

Beachgoers in Surf City were seen clearing the sand as the whipping winds began blowing. It was near empty by Saturday evening.

Increased waves were already having an impact on the shoreline, causing some erosion.

In Seaside Heights, the horizon to the north was slowly degrading to the ugly, dark and cloudy conditions in the south as the outer fringes of Hermine showed up against the Jersey Shore.

The National Hurricane Center says the next 36 hours are going to be key for Shore areas in New Jersey. That is when Hermine could push the most water onto the shores of many different communities, inundating them with water.