The effects of Hurricane Ernesto, which hit Bermuda on Saturday, are being felt along our region's shore this weekend.

NYC Beaches.Photo byShalabh VyasonUnsplash

According to a notice from the National Park Service and NYC Parks, all beaches in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed today because of possibly catastrophic rip currents generated by faraway Ernesto. The storm will not strike our area directly and will stay well offshore.

Since protecting New Yorkers from dangerous rip currents is our top priority, we are closing our oceanfront beaches in Queens and Brooklyn this weekend as Tropical Storm Ernesto approaches the city, Mayor Eric Adams announced late last week as the city prepared its beaches for the pounding waves.

Strengthening The Nearby Beaches

To prevent erosion, crews strengthened nearby beaches with sand mounds.

According to Jeffrey Mason, director of Jones Beach State Park, who talked with a local news outlet, our major concern is that seawater will enter the shoreline, especially in our low-lying areas.

Long Island beaches are still open for swimming, although lifeguards warn visitors to use caution and awareness.

The Hurricane Ernesto

Hurricane Ernesto made landfall as a Category 1 storm in Bermuda on Saturday morning. By Sunday, Ernesto will be heading fast toward the North Atlantic, most likely skirting Canada's marine provinces.

Even though Ernesto is hundreds of miles east, our coasts will be indirectly affected. The most concerning aspect is the prospect of dangerous rip currents lasting over the weekend. Due to this threat, all New York City beaches will be closed until Monday. High surf, with wave heights ranging from 4 to 7 feet, will undoubtedly keep many swimmers out of the ocean. The pounding surf may cause some beach erosion. When Monday's full moon arrives, and the high waves combine, coastal flooding may become a concern.