Ocean County Beach Report: Life-Threatening Conditions Exist

The National Weather Service is advising swimmers to stay out of the ocean water today, with good reason.

Hurricane Maria is still lurking offshore and is not expected to make landfall near Ocean County. But the storm is creating a high risk of rip currents and 6 foot waves. The effects from the storm are expected to continue over the next several days.

"People visiting the beaches should stay out of the high surf," the NWS says.

Many people did not head those warnings over the weekend. Some drowned and many had to be rescued. Belmar alone had 35 water rescues just on Sunday.

It's late September, most beaches have been unguarded since just after Labor Day. Firefighters and and police had to step in for the rescues. The ocean water temperature is 71 degrees.

Skies today will start out sunny, but are expected to turn cloudy later. Highs will be in the upper 70s. Winds will be from the east at 5 to 10 miles per hour.

The ultraviolet index is a 6 today, which the NWS considers high. There is no lightning threat.

Low tide at Barnegat Inlet rolled in at 5:50 am. High tide will arrive at 12:03 p.m., followed by another low tide at 6:30 p.m.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller