Hurricane Erin Grows, Prompting 18 Jersey Shore Swim Bans: See The Latest List

Swim bans have expanded to multiple Jersey Shore beaches ahead of Hurricane Erin bringing high waves, life-threatening rip currents and coastal flooding along the coast. Authorities are urging beachgoers to stay out of the water, even if they believe themselves to be strong swimmers.

Forecasters anticipate that Erin will grow even larger this week as it travels through the western Atlantic Ocean. It will also fluctuate in strength, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center.

"Erin is a large hurricane," the National Hurricane Center said. "Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 205 miles (335 km)."

Erin has already caused several New Jersey beaches to ban swimming temporarily. Over the past week, rip currents have been responsible for multiple beach rescues and even deaths.

"This is no time to be complacent," Gov. Phil Murphy said Tuesday. "I would just say to you flat out, don't go in the water."

Murphy said he would be joining a call Tuesday with Jersey Shore mayors, where there could potentially be a blanket ban on swimming at all beaches.

Swim bans have been put in place in at least 18 Jersey Shore beaches Tuesday afternoon:

• Atlantic City: Knee-deep bathing only, no boogie boards, expected to be in place all week
• Avon: Expected to be in place all week
• Bay Head: No swimming Tuesday
• Beach Haven: Until further notice
• Belmar: No swimming Tuesday
• Bradley Beach: Expected to be in place all week
• Brigantine: No swimming Tuesday
• Cape May: Until further notice
• Harvey Cedars: Until further notice
• Island Beach State Park: No swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, mobile sport fishing vehicle access through at least Thursday
• Long Beach Township: Until further notice
• Point Pleasant: Until further notice
• Ocean City: Until further notice
• Ocean Grove: Expected to be in place all week
• Seaside Heights: No swimming Tuesday
• Ship Bottom: Until further notice
• Ventnor: Until further notice
• Wildwoods: No swimming, surfing until further notice

The graphic below shows the rip current risk for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Red flags were flying in Belmar on Monday, NJ.com reported, days after a 13-year-old girl drowned there while swimming after hours.

In Seaside Heights, where a 31-year-old Trenton man drowned a week ago, Mayor Anthony Vaz said the borough was evaluating the conditions and would make a decision soon. Vaz had said the borough will close beach access gates right after the lifeguards go off-duty there to try to prevent further tragedies.

Along with these life-threatening rip currents, Erin is expected to cause waves from 5 feet all the way to 15 feet this week, according to the National Weather Service. These will wane into the weekend but still could remain 5 feet or higher. A High Surf Advisory is in effect Wednesday for 6 to 9 foot breaking waves and Thursday for 7 to 11 foot breaking waves. It expires Friday at 6 a.m.

Not only are these tall waves dangerous for beachgoers, they are also likely to cause localized coastal flooding and beach erosion, forecasters say.

Coupled with the lower temperatures this week, it won't be an ideal time for going to the beach. If you do decide to go, though, forecasters urge everyone to follow posted beach flags and listen to local authorities.

"Please, please, please take this seriously," Murphy urged. "Particularly push back on complacency, on the human nature of 'gosh, it's beautiful outside. Let's sneak a quick dip in the water.' This is not the week to do that."

This article contains additional reporting by Karen Wall.