New York City beaches closed to swimmers due to rip current risk from Ernesto
FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (WABC) -- Hurricane Ernesto was battering Bermuda on Saturday, and its impact is being felt on coastal areas in our area this weekend.
The NYC Parks and the National Park Service announced that all beaches in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed Saturday due to possibly life-threatening conditions posed by rip currents generated by the far-away Ernesto. The storm will stay well off the coast and pose no direct threat to our region.
"Our primary focus is keeping New Yorkers safe, so as the impacts of Tropical Storm Ernesto approach New York City, we are closing our ocean-facing beaches in Queens and Brooklyn this weekend to protect New Yorkers from dangerous rip currents," Mayor Eric Adams said late last week as the city prepared beaches for the pounding from waves.
Crews reinforced area beaches with mounds of sand to protect from erosion.
"We can get sea water coming into the beachfront, so those are the biggest concerns for us -- especially in our low-lying areas," Jeffrey Mason, director at Jones Beach State Park, told Eyewitness News.
Meanwhile, beaches on Long Island have not been closed for swimming but officials advise beachgoers to stay aware and be careful.
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