Rough Surf, Rip Currents From Hurricane Franklin Affecting Beach Access In Ocean County

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — Hurricane Franklin is disrupting the final days of summer, whipping up dangerous rip currents and rough surf that led to at least one Jersey Shore beach being nearly completely closed to access on Tuesday.

"BEACH CLOSED" was the sign that greeted beachgoers Tuesday at Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach, with staff telling visitors and a reporter that the beach was closed due to rough waves.

Lisa Lightbody, marketing director for Jenkinson's, said in spite of what a reporter was told by staff at the beach, there was a gate open at Arnold Avenue, allowing access on Tuesday.

Other beaches in Ocean County were fully open to those who wanted to walk on the sand. No swimming was being permitted at some beaches, while at others the beach patrol was keeping an eye on the conditions.

Hurricane Franklin, which is a Category 4 with winds of more than 140 miles per hour, is expected to stay far out in the Atlantic Ocean as it passes northwest of Bermuda. But the power of the storm is expected to cause dangerous rip currents that may last several days, the National Weather Service said.

Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Paul Kanitra said Jenkinson's determines the status of its privately owned beaches. The borough's beach at Maryland Avenue was open Tuesday, he said.

Farther south, Toms River's beach patrol was not permitting swimming in Ortley Beach, but was allowing people on the sand, officials said. That policy was expected to continue Wednesday, depending on the weather.

Seaside Heights Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz said the borough's beaches were open Tuesday and he anticipated they would be open Wednesday.

"The beach patrol is actively monitoring the conditions," Vaz said. "We have lifeguards scheduled, so a closure of the beach for us would likely only mean that we keep people out of the water if conditions dictate. Unless we have a lot of rain we would keep the beach open even if people cannot enter the ocean."

The National Weather Service Mount Holly office forecast warns of a high risk of rip currents through Wednesday evening, with a coastal flood advisory in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday to early Wednesday. Up to a half-foot of water above ground level is expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, the weather service said.

The surf heights are forecast at 3 to 5 feet, calming slightly on Wednesday, and thunderstorms are likely on Wednesday between breaks of sunshine.

There could be an elevated risk of rip currents through the end of the week, the weather service said.

"Unusually high astronomical tides” are also possible along the Jersey Shore in the evening this week, with the full moon.

NOTE: This article has been updated with comment from Jenkinson's on Wednesday, Aug. 30.