Hurricane Ernesto Brings Deadly Waves and Riptides

As Hurricane Ernesto churns along the Atlantic, its effects are being felt on the shores of New York City. This weekend, beaches across Brooklyn and Queens, including the National Park Service’s Jacob Riis Beach in the Rockaways, have been closed to swimmers. The closure comes in response to the storm’s potential to generate six-foot swells, life-threatening rip currents, and heavy rainfall, which could lead to flash flooding.

City Hall announced the precautionary closure late Friday, emphasizing the need to prioritize public safety amid the storm’s arrival. Mayor Adams underscored the gravity of the situation, advising New Yorkers to respect the warnings and avoid the water. “Our primary focus is keeping New Yorkers safe,” he said. “The ocean is more powerful than you are, particularly this weekend.”

Lifeguards and park officials have been mobilized to enforce the swimming bans at all affected beaches. The dangerous conditions are a direct result of Ernesto’s impact, which has already caused significant disruption in other regions. The storm made landfall in Bermuda early Saturday, bringing with it maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. Despite Ernesto being forecast to remain 500 miles offshore from the NYC area, its influence will still be strongly felt along the coast.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings for towering waves and powerful rip currents, forecasting swells of up to 6 feet in NYC and even higher on Long Island. Additionally, wind gusts are expected to reach 16 mph. The city is also bracing for heavy rain, with meteorologists predicting up to two inches on Sunday, potentially leading to flash floods in low-lying areas.

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The combination of high winds and powerful swells creates particularly hazardous conditions. As waves move towards the shore, they can generate rip currents—narrow, fast-moving channels of water that flow away from the beach. These currents can be extremely dangerous for swimmers. Experts recommend that anyone caught in a rip current should avoid panicking, swim parallel to the shore, or float until help arrives. Ignoring these guidelines can lead to exhaustion and increase the risk of drowning.

The effects of Hurricane Ernesto are not confined to New York City. Along the Jersey Shore, rip current warnings are also in effect, with wind speeds potentially reaching 30 mph. The storm’s impact extends further, affecting other parts of the East Coast. Ernesto is the third hurricane and the fifth named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season, which has been notably active. Meteorologists like Cody Braud from Fox Weather have highlighted that this season has been “hyperactive,” with the peak of hurricane activity typically occurring between late August and early October.

The heavy rains and storm surges experienced in Puerto Rico earlier in the week serve as a reminder of the broader impacts of tropical storms. Ernesto’s battering of Bermuda and the ensuing effects on the U.S. East Coast demonstrate the storm’s strength and potential for widespread disruption. The storm’s trajectory is being closely monitored, with experts predicting that conditions will improve after the rain subsides early Monday, leading to cooler temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s, giving the Northeast a brief respite before the next wave of storm activity.

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In response to the current situation, city officials and emergency services are on high alert, ensuring that safety protocols are followed and that the public is informed of the ongoing risks. The focus remains on minimizing harm and managing the aftermath of Ernesto’s impact. As the storm continues to move northeast, residents are urged to stay informed through local news and weather updates, adhere to safety warnings, and avoid the affected beach areas until conditions improve.