Swimming Bans Remain At Jersey Shore Beaches As Erin's Effects Linger

While Hurricane Erin continues to move north and east away from the Jersey Shore, the rough seas have many towns continuing to keep their beaches closed to swimming on Friday.

Those swimming bans could remain in place through the weekend as well even as sunny skies and comfortable temperatures dominate.

A high surf advisory is in place through 8 p.m. Friday and a high rip current risk is in effect through Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service. But even as those expire, the waves will take several more hours to calm down.

Authorities up and down the Jersey Shore said they will be evaluating the conditions daily to decide what activities will be allowed at the the beaches this weekend.

In Point Pleasant Beach, Jenkinson's posted that it would not be allowing people into the ocean on Friday.

"Our beaches are open today, but due to the dangerous water conditions and rip tides from Hurricane Erin and out of an abundance of caution for our guests and staff, ocean access will remain closed until further notice," the company said in a post on Facebook. "We will keep you updated daily on the conditions of the ocean."

In Ocean City, the beach patrol warned people to stay out of the water.

"The storm has passed, the sun is shining, and the beach may look inviting but the ocean is still extremely dangerous," the beach patrol said. "Tropical storm activity in the Atlantic continues to create rough surf and powerful rip currents, which account for 95% of all surf rescues."

"Conditions remain deadly. Do not enter the ocean," the beach patrol said. There is no swimming or wading on the Ocean City beaches until further notice.

In Seaside Park, observers were reporting 6- to 8-foot swells on Friday morning.

Seaside Heights Beach Patrol said double red flags continue to fly in the borough, meaning ocean swimming is banned there as well.

The Brigantine City Beach Patrol said its lifeguards will be keeping people out of the water "until it is safe to go back in. We will keep you posted when that ban is lifted."

Island Beach State Park officials said mobile sport fishing vehicle access remains closed Friday because the beach is very narrow with the surf still reaching the dune lines, and swimming, boogey boarding and surfing are still banned. In addition, the kayak launch at beach A15 is closed due to flooding.

"You can walk on the beach to fish. We will reevaluate conditions tomorrow morning," park officials said.

In Long Branch, swimming is not being permitted, according to the city's Safe Beach Day website. That application showed red flags at all of the city's beach entry points.

Sandy Hook beaches also are closed to swimming, Gateway National Recreation Area officials said.

"Beaches are open for access but swimming is prohibited. We are closely monitoring conditions and may need to close select beaches as needed," officials said.

Surf heights are expected to be 3 to 5 feet on Saturday, according to the weather service, and slightly lower on Sunday.

It will be a beautiful weekend to be at the shore, with temperatures in the upper 70s on Saturday and Sunday and clear skies until Sunday night, good for sitting on the beach reading a book or taking a nap while soaking up some sunshine. Showers are possible Monday, but Tuesday through Thursday skies are expected to be mostly clear, the National Weather Service says.