Hurricane Sandy has churned up big waves along the Florida coastline.

Sandy is not expected to pose a direct threat to the state, but many areas remain under a tropical storm warning.

It is continuing to move toward the US East Coast after tearing across the Caribbean leaving 31 dead in its wake.

Forecasters said the storm has already begun merging with a polar air mass over the eastern US, potentially spawning a "hybrid" super storm that could wreak havoc along the eastern seaboard.

Weather trackers have said the hardest-hit areas could span from anywhere along the coastal Carolinas up to Maine, with New York City and the Boston area potentially in harm's way.

Sandy is also expected to hit the US during a full moon, increasing its potential to cause flooding since tides will be at or near their highest levels.