With Hurricane Erin lurking, her impact is beginning to be felt in Massachusetts even if the storm isn't expected to get close.

Hurricane Erin is marching north, lashing North Carolina's Outer Banks with rough waves and coastal flooding, and bringing a threat of dangerous waves and potentially deadly rip currents to the East Coast.

The Cape and Islands could see heavy winds hit the region Thursday night and Friday as Hurricane Erin continues to pass north through the Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Erin will be hundreds of miles from the Massachusetts coast, but it could still cause problems at beaches.

Hurricane Erin is expected to cause breezy conditions with gusty winds in western Massachusetts, while the East Coast will experience strong rip currents and big waves.

Hurricane Erin is tracking closer to the East Coast, and meteorologists still maintain that parts of Massachusetts will feel the effects of the storm. The National Weather Service branch in Norton, MA is predicting that the storm will pass "well southeast of Nantucket on Friday," with the coastline of southeastern New England feeling the impact.

"Heavy rainfall is possible on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, with potential for a maximum of 4 inches," NHC said Tuesday.

Hurricane Erin, now a Category 2 hurricane, won't make landfall on the U.S. East Coast, but it will impact residents and visitors at North Carolina's Outer Banks.

The Lynn, Quincy, and Winthrop ferries could be impacted by rough seas and high winds. The post Ferry riders told to expect ‘uncomfortable’ trips thanks to Hurricane Erin appeared first on Boston.com.