Beaches close across NYC and NJ as Hurricane Erin brings dangerous swells to region

With Hurricane Erin churning offshore, officials have banned swimming at ocean beaches across New York City and Long Island through Thursday, warning of dangerous surf and rip currents.

Mayor Eric Adams said swimmers would be barred from all the city’s beaches on Wednesday and Thursday. Multiple beaches were also closed for swimming in New Jersey on Tuesday, with Gov. Phil Murphy warning beachgoers to stay out of the surf.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said high surf advisory would be in effect Wednesday through Thursday for the state’s Atlantic Ocean beaches. She warned of high rates of beach erosion throughout the region.

Adams said access to the sand will not be restricted on Wednesday and Thursday, but that anyone entering the water will be kicked out by lifeguards and parks enforcement patrol officers.

Hurricane Erin was southeast of the United States mainland Tuesday afternoon, and was classified as a category 2 storm — a drop from a category 5 designation it had on Saturday.

It was still strong enough for North Carolina officials to declare a state of emergency. Erin isn’t expected to make landfall in the New York City region, but meteorologists said it’s expected to bring 13-foot swells and dangerous currents to beaches across New York and New Jersey.

"Hurricane Erin is a major hurricane, but for our area, it will be staying offshore,” National Weather Service meteorologist Jay Engle said. “But that doesn't mean we won't get some indirect impacts, such as some high surf and life-threatening rip currents along with life-threatening surf for the Atlantic Ocean-facing beaches,"

Most of the East Coast was under a high rip current warning Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

New York City parks officials confirmed that pools would remain open on Wednesday and Thursday.

State parks on Long Island have also banned swimming through Thursday due to dangerous conditions.

Hochul said red flags were posted at Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Hither Hills State Parks, where lifeguards are on duty to keep people out of the surf.

Other beach areas have been fortified with sandbags and temporary sand walls in preparation for potential flooding.

Swimming remains allowed at Long Island Sound-facing beaches like Sunken Meadow and Wildwood, which aren't expected to see the same conditions.

This story has been updated with new information.