NYC Beaches Closed Due to Rip Currents from Hurricane Ernesto

NYC Beaches Closed Due to Hurricane Ernesto's Rip Currents

New York City beaches are closed this weekend due to strong rip currents generated by Hurricane Ernesto. This Category 1 storm made landfall in Bermuda on Saturday, bringing hurricane-force winds and heavy rain. Although hundreds of miles offshore, the storm is creating dangerous conditions along the East Coast.

The National Weather Service has issued alerts for high surf and riptides along much of the Atlantic coastline. Waves in the Northeast are expected to reach up to 9 and 10 feet.

Beaches Closed in NYC

In New York City, beaches in Brooklyn, including Coney Island, Brighton Beach, and Manhattan Beach, as well as the Rockaway and Riis beaches in Queens, will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday. The NYC Parks and the National Park Service have closed the beaches due to the potentially life-threatening conditions from the rip currents.

"Our primary focus is keeping New Yorkers safe," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "So as the impacts of Tropical Storm Ernesto approach New York City, we are closing our ocean-facing beaches in Queens and Brooklyn this weekend to protect New Yorkers from dangerous rip currents."

Protecting the Shore

Video footage shows crews on Coney Island preparing the beach for the powerful waves by reinforcing mounds of sand to protect from erosion. On Long Island, berms were built to protect the delicate shoreline, which has suffered from beach erosion in recent years.

While Long Island beaches are not closed for swimming, officials are advising beachgoers to exercise caution.

Hurricane Ernesto's Path

Ernesto is expected to continue moving north and northeast, moving off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada on Monday night as a weakening hurricane. More storms are expected in the coming weeks, as September is typically the peak of the hurricane season.

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