'Life-Threatening' Rip Current Risk At LI's Atlantic Beaches Through Friday Night: NWS

LONG ISLAND, NY — A high, "life-threatening" rip current risk and high surf advisory remains in effect across the southern coastal areas of Long Island through Friday evening due to the impacts of Hurricane Erin, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.

In addition, a high surf effect remains in effect through 8 p.m. Friday — and a coastal flood watch is in effect for Thursday evening, the NWS said.

Large breaking waves of 7 to 11 feet are expected in the surf zone Wednesday, increasing to 12 to 16 feet on Thursday and 8 to 12 feet on Friday, the NWS said.

In terms of the coastal flood watch, one to two feet of inundation above ground level is possible in vulnerable areas near the waterfront and shoreline, the NWS said. Some roads and low-lying properties including parking lots, parks, lawns, and homes and businesses with basements near the waterfront will experience minor flooding, the NWS said.

Jay Engle, meteorologist with the National Weather Service Office in Upton, told Patch that although the storm itself has weakened, "dangerous surf and rip currents" for Long Island's Atlantic Ocean-facing beaches, from the South Shore to the East End, will become a steadily increasing threat from through Thursday night. On Thursday night, he said, those impacts should start to decrease into the weekend as Erin starts to lift out of the area to the northeast.

Dune erosion and localized beach flooding are expected, becoming more widespread with each successive high tide cycle until Thursday evening, Engle said.

Dune erosion is also likely Thursday evening into Friday, with breaking surf reaching 10 to 15 feet — and the strongest surf found from Moriches and heading east until Friday morning, the time when Erin has reached its closest point to Long Island in the east and northeast, Engle said.

"Life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions" are likely for all people entering the surf zone. Anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the surf. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, the NWS said.

The threat for beach flooding, beach erosion and escarpment and areas of dune erosion will increase with successive high tides through Friday morning. Widespread areas of dune erosion with localized overwashes are expected during the Thursday evening and Friday morning high tides, the NWS said.

The National Weather Service offered precautions: For those traveling, allow extra time, since some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property. Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions.

If you enter the surf zone, always have a flotation device with you and swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float, and do not swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and yell or wave for help, the NWS said.

Surf zone forecasts for Long Island

Southern Nassau, including the beaches of Atlantic Beach, Long Beach, Lido Beach,
and Jones Beach

A high rip current risk remains in effect through Friday evening, with a high surf advisory in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.

Wednesday

Rip Current Risk: High.

Surf Height: 7 to 11 feet.

Thursday

Rip current risk: High.

Surf height: 12 to 16 feet.

Southwestern Suffolk, including the beaches of Gilgo State Park and Robert Moses State Park

Wednesday

Rip current risk: High.

Surf height: 7 to 11 feet.

Thursday

Rip current risk: High.

Surf height: 12 to 16 feet.

Southeastern Suffolk, including the beaches of Smith Point, Cupsogue Beach, Hither Hills State Park, and Ditch Plains

Wednesday

Rip current risk: High.

Surf height: 7 to 11 feet.

Thursday

Rip Current Risk: High.

Surf height: 12 to 16 feet.

Long Island is expected to see a slight chance of showers late Wednesday night; temperatures this week are expected to be in the mid-70s Tuesday, with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s as the week continues.