The girl’s sister, Sameeha Sultana, 13, was found unresponsive about an hour later at 7th Avenue, a block north. Rescue crews and the U.S. Coast Guard pulled her out of the water, and CPR was performed. She was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Beaches along the New Jersey coast and in Delaware were closed Tuesday as the powerful storm churned in the Atlantic. New York City announced its beaches would close on Wednesday and Thursday.

NJ rip currents claimed a life in Seaside Heights as hundreds of rescues were reported across the Jersey Shore.

Jersey Shore officials are pleading with the public to avoid swimming in the ocean when no lifeguards are around, especially now with Hurricane Erin.

Hurricane Erin is forecast to continue growing in size, with hurricane-force winds extending up to 50 miles from its center.

This page summarizes news on Erin for Wednesday, Aug. 20. For the latest news on Hurricane Erin, visit USA TODAY's coverage for Thursday, Aug. 21. Hurricane Erin's higher tides and big waves are battering much of the East Coast,