© TINA HARBUCK | The Destin Log / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Asbury Park, NJ) — New York and New Jersey officials are warning beachgoers to stay out of the water because of dangerous rip currents generated by Hurricane Erin.
With some people heading to the beach anyway, experts say it’s easy to spot one. Rip currents typically form around breaks in sandbars or near jetties or piers, turning the ocean a lot darker where they appear. Just because you can identify one, that doesn’t mean you should risk going into the water over the next few days. As one Asbury Park lifeguard says, “These are life-threatening rip currents. It’s not anything normal. You should not be in the water.” Even the best swimmers can be pulled under and out to see in a matter of seconds.
New York City beaches will close Wednesday and Thursday. Officials say although people will still be allowed on the sand, beaches will be off limits to swimming and there will be no lifeguards on duty. Mayor Adams is also asking residents to sign up for the Notify NYC app for additional updates.
The National Weather Service predicts large waves of up to 13 feet and life-threatening rip currents for even strong swimmers along the East Coast
