Ocean City and Atlantic City are allowing people to park in lots and garages for free as the beach towns brace for the Category 2 storm.

Hurricane Erin’s drive-by impacts are forecast to generate multiple rounds of flooding in New Jersey beach towns from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point, and tropical storm warnings were in effect for the nearshore waters.

The State of Emergency went into effect at 2 p.m. as coastal and flash flooding, dangerous surf warnings and advisories, as well as high winds are expected for several counties across the Garden State.