Beaches in the Mid-Atlantic region are facing dangerous rip tides and strong winds this week as Hurricane Erin moves north offshore. Many beaches in the region are closed for swimming due to the dangerous conditions.
Hurricane Erin is now on the cusp between a Category 2 and 3 storm, The Weather Channel says. While the storm is forecasted to stay offshore, it will push water toward coastal areas. This could lead to flooding along the lower Chesapeake Bay area and the southern Delmarva Peninsula, as well as coastal Delaware and New Jersey.
Storm Conditions and Coastal Flooding
Tropical storm warnings are in effect for coastal waters from North Carolina to Chincoteague as of Wednesday morning. These warnings mean that “tropical storm conditions and storm surge flooding are expected in the next 48 hours.”
The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerous swimming and surfing conditions for beaches in the region. This includes Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware. Peak waves could reach 7 to 12 feet in Delaware, 10 to 12 feet in Maryland, and 10 to 14 feet in Virginia, The Washington Post reported.
“Erin is expected to produce life-threatening surf and rip currents along the beaches of much of the east coast of the U.S. during the next several days,” The Weather Service said. “Beachgoers in those areas should follow advice from lifeguards, local authorities, and beach warning flags.”
Dangerous Water Conditions
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head-first into the bottom, causing neck and back injuries,” The Weather Service said in a beach-hazard statement.
In response to the dangerous conditions, some regional beaches have closed to swimmers. Ocean access was closed in Rehoboth, Dewey, and Bethany beaches in Delaware on August 19. And all Delaware state beaches are closed to swimmers, Delaware Online reported.
Beaches at Assateague Island and Ocean City, Maryland, are also closed to swimmers, according to CBS News.
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