Rough surf, strong winds at the Jersey Shore as hurricanes churn in the Atlantic Ocean

OCEAN CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- The crashing waves were quite the sight in Ocean City on Wednesday.

"It's really beautiful but a little terrifying. I would not want to go swimming today," said Danielle Napier as she walked on the beach with her mother.

Jody Bent spent the first official day of her retirement wrapped in a towel on the beach, marveling at the angry ocean.

"It's pretty windy, but when the sun's out, it's beautiful, it's warm. But when the sun goes in, it's pretty chilly," said Bent.

While the ocean is impressive at the Jersey Shore, it has been damaging off the coast of North Carolina. Several oceanfront homes collapsed in Buxton as two hurricanes churned off the coast.

Here in New Jersey, minor flooding is possible during high tides, especially in low-lying areas near the bay. Local officials in Ocean City say folks may want to move their cars to higher ground.

"Anytime there's a storm brewing, you run up to the beach to see the beauty of the ocean. And it's magnificent," said Carol Iarussi, who lives in Ocean City full time.

She says she and her husband used to these conditions in the fall.

"If ever there's a call for it, I believe you have to heed the warning and do what they say. I'd rather be safe than sorry," said Iarussi.

Businesses on the boardwalk say the spectacle of the surf tends to bring the crowds - and they don't mind that at all.

"More people come down when there's weather things," said Tina Mituzas, who works at Shriver's Salt Water Taffy and Fudge. "Hurricane season, this place is packed. It's insane."

Rip currents will remain a risk for the rest of the week.

A coastal flood advisory is in effect for South Jersey through 1 a.m. Thursday.