Impacts of Hurricane Erin on Mass. start to diminish Friday

Hurricane Erin made its closest pass to southern New England Friday morning and will continue to move northeast away from the coasts as the day goes on.

The hurricane’s influence is expected to continue, but also to start to diminish on Friday. Still, National Weather Service forecasters have issued advisories for coastal flooding, wind and high surf.

The Wind Advisory covering Cape Cod and the islands ends at 2 p.m. Friday, reflective of the fact that winds will be the first of Erin’s influences to decrease. The advisory warns of winds up to 30 mph and gusts of 50 mph.

The chances for beach erosion, high surf, coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents will all continue beyond Friday afternoon. Forecasters are warning of breaking waves as high as 15 to 20 feet, which could cause significant erosion of beaches and dunes, particularly on southern-facing beaches as well as beaches on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

“This could rival what we normally see with stronger nor`easters during the winter,” forecasters wrote.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is in place for Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and parts of the South Coast.

On the Islands, coastal flooding up to a foot deep is expected in low-lying areas around high tide Friday evening. Rough seas could bring debris onto coastal roads, forecasters warned.

For the South Coast, minor flooding up to a foot deep is expected at both high tide Friday morning and evening, with waves potentially tossing debris onto roadways.

Other coastal areas are under a Coastal Flood Statement for more minor flooding.

Erin’s impacts on the waters should start to decrease Saturday night into Sunday as the hurricane moves into the North Atlantic.