East Hampton Taking Steps As Hurricane Erin Passes Offshore

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez is raising awareness about Hurricane Erin's impacts.

"While the storm itself is forecast to remain several hundred miles from us, we will still feel its effects here, particularly in the ocean," she said. "The most significant impacts are expected Thursday and Friday, with dangerous surf, rip currents, and the potential for dune erosion in some areas."

On Monday, Burke-Gonzalez said she convened a meeting with East Hampton Town police, town lifeguards, emergency management, marine patrol, the highway department, parks and building maintenance, recreation, and East Hampton Town Councilman David Lys.

"We reviewed preparations and set a coordinated plan in motion to protect our residents and our shoreline," she said. "As part of that work, our lifeguards responded immediately. Surf conditions were raised from green to yellow yesterday afternoon, meaning that rip currents have been observed — and it is not safe for inexperienced swimmers."

Forecasts are showing waves building to 15 to 20 feet; town officials began moving equipment today and are pulling stands back to higher ground so they are not washed away, she said.

Tuesday morning, at the direction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the town's natural resources department began removing the piping plover nesting fencing at Atlantic Avenue, the supervisor said.

"We are taking this step now so that the fencing is not washed away by the incoming surf," Burke-Gonzalez said.

She added: "We are also working to document and protect our shoreline. Suffolk aviation, at our request, is flying an aerial survey of the South Shore beaches today, while town staff flew drones along our beaches yesterday. These flights will give us an important record of the condition of our beaches and dunes before the storm so that we can respond appropriately afterward if we see erosion or damage."

Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services has advised town officials that offshore seas could build to 12 to 15 feet or more, especially east of Moriches Inlet. Combined with high tides, those ocean conditions may bring dune erosion, localized flooding, and possible overwash Thursday evening into Friday morning, the supervisor said.

"To our residents and visitors: I want to stress how important it is to swim at lifeguarded beaches and take direction from our lifeguards," Burke-Gonzalez said. "If you see a red flag — only experienced swimmers are allowed in and fins are required. If you see a red flag with a swimmer crossed out, this is a 'No Swimming' flag, and you should not go in the water. These warnings are not there to keep you from enjoying the ocean. They are here to keep you safe."

The supervisor assured that the town is prepared.

"We are in close contact with Suffolk County and our emergency service partners, and our lifeguards and staff are working hard to make sure we are ready. I am grateful for their dedication and for the way this community works to keep each other safe," she said.