Hurricane Erin Forces Beach Closures, Threatens East Coast Rip Currents

Hurricane Erin, currently a Category 3 storm, is prompting widespread beach closures along the East Coast due to dangerous rip currents and high surf. Beaches in New York's Town of Hempstead, New Jersey's Jersey Shore, Delaware, and Massachusetts have imposed swimming bans to protect residents and visitors. The National Hurricane Center warns that Erin's hurricane-force winds and large size extend hundreds of miles, causing life-threatening conditions even without a direct landfall. Recent drownings at Belmar and Seaside Heights in New Jersey underscore the storm's severity, leading to local authorities closing beach access after lifeguards' shifts to prevent further tragedies. Officials advise against ocean swimming and recommend swimming parallel to the shore if caught in rip currents. While the storm is expected to turn away from the coast, hazardous surf conditions, including waves up to 15 feet, and coastal erosion are anticipated to continue through the week.