Severe Storm threat not keeping Jersey shore beachgoers away over extended July 4th weekend
SEA BRIGHT, New Jersey (WABC) -- The threat of severe storms didn't keep beachgoers away from the Jersey shore Monday, much to the relief of business owners.
Eyewitness News cameras captured packed beaches in Asbury Park and Sea Bright.
It was a welcome sight for business owners, like Woody's Ocean Grille owner Chris Wood, who said business was down so far this summer likely due to cooler temperatures and smoke from wildfires in Canada degrading the air quality.
"This June we started off with a very cold, cold month, not a lot of rain. We had smoke conditions, we had a lot of wind down here. It just wasn't the best, it was still a very good June, but we came off two record Junes where its been incredibly sunny, hot, and dry," Wood said.
Meanwhile, officials are cautioning anyone who does go to the beach to only go in the water when a lifeguard is on patrol.
"(Saturday) alone we had 153 rescues. We have to be over 100 at this point today," said Longport Beach Patrol Chief Tom Kresz said. "The ocean conditions are really rough, a lot of rips. We're trying to move our lifeguard stands away from them. But some have rips on either side, so we really can't move them," said Kresz.
The threats of storm and sea were evident in New York Sunday where a 14-year-old drowned at a beach that had just been closed due to thunder and lightning.
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
