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PUBLIC beaches along the East Coast will be shut down for the next few days as dozens have already been rescued from rip currents due to intense weather conditions.
As Hurricane Erin moves closer toward the US, rip currents are creating increasingly dangerous for beachgoers.
Authorities reported that about 60 people have already needed to be rescued from beaches in the Carolinas, according to NBC affiliate WRAL, causing states in the northeast to shut their beaches.
“The force of the rip currents and rough surf along the Atlantic coast this week is life-threatening,” AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva told USA Today.
“Hurricane Erin is producing a tremendous amount of energy that will create hazardous beach conditions from Florida to New England.”
Storm advisories and swimming restrictions remain in effect in the Carolinas for the rest of the week.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams warned all New Yorkers to steer clear of public beaches over the risk of dangerous riptides with the arrival of Hurricane Erin.
“Swimming in the ocean will be prohibited over the next two days,” Adams posted on X on Wednesday.
“NYC public beaches will be closed for swimming on Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21 due to high risk of rip currents from Hurricane Erin.
“Rip currents can sweep even strong swimmers out to sea quickly.”
Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, the parks commissioner, also warned New Yorkers to avoid the beaches during the hurricane.
“We strongly urge all New Yorkers to heed these warnings and not risk their lives by entering the water,” Rodriguez-Rosa said in a statement.
The National Weather Service posted on X about the high risk of life-threatening conditions for people who choose to visit the beach.
“We are going to be a broken record this week. The ocean and specifically the surf zone will be dangerous this week,” the service posted.
“There is a HIGH Risk for Life Threatening Rip Currents.
“A High Surf Advisory is in effect for 5-8 waves Wednesday and 7-12 foot breaking waves Thursday.”
Officials in New Jersey and Delaware have also urged people to avoid the coast at all costs as Hurricane Erin’s winds could increase to 110 miles per hour.
Closed beaches in the Northeast
New York:
- New York City public beaches will be closed through August 21
New Jersey:
- Asbury Park
- Avon-by-the-Sea
- Bay Head
- Belmar
- Bradley Beach
- Margate
- Wildwood
- Island beach state park
Delaware:
- Dewey Beach
- Rehoboth Beach
- Fenwick Island
“The impacts of Hurricane Erin will be felt across the Jersey Shore over the next several days, generating dangerous rip currents and high waves,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote on X.
“As conditions worsen, we urge residents and visitors to avoid wading and swimming in the ocean, especially when lifeguards are off duty.”
New Jersey beaches affected include: Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Bay Head, Belmar, Bradley Beach, Margate, and Wildwood on the Jersey Shore.
The Island Beach State Park will also be closed through Thursday.
In a press conference, Murphy said that the hurricane has created a “weird dynamic” as the surf won’t necessarily look dangerous, but the rip tides underneath will be.
The governor also warned that the state faces a high risk of flooding as the storm approaches.
Delaware officials announced swimming prohibitions in Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island.
Rehoboth Beach in Delaware also issued a hazard warning to locals and tourists visiting the popular beach city.
“Due to high winds and heavy surf conditions, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol is prohibiting swimming today under a red flag advisory,” the city wrote on Facebook.
“The heavy surf and increased rip tides will likely continue to increase through Thursday.”
Hurricane Erin began as a tropical wave out on the Cabo Verde Islands on August 11, but progressed to hurricane status by August 15.
While the hurricane is expected to stay hundreds of miles offshore, it is predicted to intensify as it heads north closer to the US mainland, according to USA Today.
