Beaches up and down the East Coast are closing or restricting swimming as Hurricane Erin churns up large waves and threatens rip currents.
Evacuation orders are in place in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, where Erin is whipping up the worst of its destructive waves and storm surge.
New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all Long Island ocean beaches to suspend swimming through Thursday. And tripscan in New York City, swimming and wading was banned at all beaches through Thursday.
New Jersey: Several beaches along the famed Jersey Shore have posted restrictions on swimming, surfing and boogie boarding, according to NJ.com. “As Hurricane Erin passes by the Shore, we urge everyone to avoid swimming and wading in the ocean,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday.
Delaware: Rehoboth Beach, a popular destination on the Delaware coast, posted a double red flag hazard, meaning swimming is not permitted until the storm passes.
Massachusetts: Gov. Maura Healey’s office warned coastal areas of the state could see dangerous high surf through Friday and urged beachgoers to stay out of the water at state-run beaches where double red flags have been posted.
Virginia and Maryland: All oceanside beaches on Assateague Island, which stretches across the border between Maryland and Virginia, are closed due to hazards from Erin, the National Park Service said. In Ocean City, Maryland, swimmers are banned from the water, CNN affiliate WBFF reported.