As Hurricane Erin moves up the East Coast, local beach patrols have been warning of life-threatening rip currents and waves as high as 12 feet by Thursday.
Swimming and bathing have been prohibited at beaches throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties due to dangerous surf conditions.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged people not to swim in the ocean this week due to dangerous conditions on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
“Hurricane Erin is expected to cause dangerous rip currents along the Shore for the next several days. Please avoid swimming in the ocean, especially when lifeguards are not present. It is more important that you stay alive than get one more beach day before the end of summer,” he said on X.
Rip currents pose danger to those swimming in the ocean, and could become deadly, with over 100 deaths attributed to rip currents in the U.S. every year, according to the United States Lifesaving Association.
For now, bathing and swimming are not permitted in Longport, Ventnor, Brigantine, Wildwood and Margate. In Ocean City, each beach could have different rules. Some may restrict swimming entirely, while at others, beachgoers can go in the water, but only “in the shallowest water.”
“One thing for sure is we don’t want anybody even getting near the water unless it’s in front of a lifeguard stand,” Erich Becker, Ocean City Beach Patrol chief of operations, said in a statement to Shore Local.
In Brigantine, wheelchair access mats were removed from the beach, trash cans were removed or relocated to paths, lifeguard towers were moved to the dunes or paths, and lifeguard boats were removed from the beach Monday morning. Swimming restrictions are also in place, the city’s beach patrol said in a Facebook post.
“You shouldn’t go in the water today, or the next couple of days, until the storm is over. If you do go in the water, keep it ankle deep. Anything further than that, a rip current can take you right out, even at knee-deep,” said Mike Morrell of Brigantine Beach Patrol to 6ABC.
In Atlantic City, swimmers are only allowed to go ankle deep in the water, and boogie boarding is prohibited, as of Tuesday, Aug. 19. The city said it will reassess daily.
“We’re expecting the wind to be about 20 mph throughout the week as well, so the rip tides will be a problem as well as the erosion,” Atlantic City Beach Patrol Chief Steve Downey said in a social media video on Monday Aug. 18. “Always listen to the lifeguards, do not swim unless lifeguards are on duty and just adhere to the restrictions that are in place. They are for your safety, not to ruin your good time.”
Ventnor police said lifeguards will remain on duty and are “under strict direction to prevent anyone from entering the ocean.”
As for surfing and kayaking, each town has mentioned that they advise against the activities.
“We do not recommend surfing and kayaking at this time. Any surfers and kayakers who do venture into the water will be performing these activities at their own risk,” the Margate City Beach Patrol said in a social media statement.
