Jacksonville Beach Braces for Swelling Surf as Hurricane Erin Approaches

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Erin will pass well off the coast, but it will still bring impacts to First Coast beaches Monday through Wednesday. Rip current risk will be high; bigger swells and a high surf with breakers over seven feet possible.

Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue swapped the yellow flags from Saturday out with red flags for Sunday – likely just the first of many red flags to go up this week.

The lifeguards aren’t the only ones getting ready for what Hurricane Erin will bring, so are the surfers.

“Look for the ugly blue board on the North side of the pier,” said Jake Ellis while he took a break from surfing Sunday. “Should be a grand, ole time.”

Ellis said he got into surfing three years ago, working up to handle waves like the ones Hurricane Erin is expected to send to Jacksonville Beach.

“If you don’t go, you’ll never know,” said Ellis.

Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue Lieutenant Max Ervanian said they’ll have eyes out all week long for surfers like Ellis, even if the tides get so high they reach the dunes and impact their ability to have chairs out or even drive the beach.

“No matter what the weather conditions are, we’ll be here next to week to respond to any emergency on the beach or in the water,” said Ervanian.

Ervanian said despite the intense waves hitting in the middle of the week, they’re still expecting a fair amount of beachgoers.

“A lot of the country does not go back to school until after Labor Day, so we do see a lot of beachgoers not from around here,” said Ervanian. “Always be mindful of the ocean conditions. Always be mindful of the posted warning flags. Always be mindful of any signs posted on the beach proper. When in doubt, don’t go out.”

 Ervanian said the big waves carry an added concern for swimmers, surfers and boaters alike.

“Be very mindful that it’s not always just the ocean conditions themselves that are dangerous, but the debris that may be floating in the water,” said Ervanian. 

Ellis will have his surf board waxed and ready, but he has a safety plan – to make sure he’s not alone out there.

“I mean, I’m sure my mom’s worried about it, but other than that, we’re good to go,” said Ellis. “We have amazing lifeguards out here. I’m sure one of my friends will pull me out if I go down.”

Ervanian said if the conditions get to the point of being deemed a “threat to life,” they will talk with city leaders about possibly closing the water.