Restrictions are going into effect at beaches all across Long Island's South Shore in preparation for Hurricane Erin to pass to our east.
Here are the latest updates as of Wednesday morning.
New York State
Gov. Kathy Hochul today directed the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to suspend swimming at Long Island ocean beaches due to flooding and rough surf conditions and potential rip tides resulting from Hurricane Erin. Swimming has been restricted at Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Hither Hills State Parks through Thursday.
"With Hurricane Erin causing dangerous surf conditions along our beaches on Long Island, we are taking proactive steps to protect New Yorkers by restricting swimming at state beaches," Gov. Kathy Hochul. "I urge everyone to remain vigilant as the storm approaches.”
The restrictions will be in place at Robert Moses, Hither Hills and Jones Beach State Parks through Thursday, when conditions will be reevaluated. These three state parks posted red flags on the beachfront to warn visitors that swimming is prohibited. Lifeguards remain on duty to prevent anyone from entering the water. Swimming remains available at Sunken Meadow and Wildwood state parks on the Long Island Sound, which are not experiencing dangerous impacts from the storm. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will continue monitoring conditions across state parks
In addition, the Jones Beach State Park maintenance staff have constructed a temporary sand wall from the East Bathhouse through the Central Mall to the West Bathhouse to prevent flooding of the main facilities. At the other ocean beaches, state parks staff have stockpiled and placed sandbags around vulnerable buildings. The beaches have been cleared of all non-essential lifeguard equipment as well as trash receptacles and signage.
Suffolk County
Suffolk County's Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services issued an alert on Tuesday.
They're warning residents that the storm could bring life-threatening swimming and surfing conditions, localized beach erosion and life-threatening rip currents.
Town of Babylon
Overlook, Cedar and Gilgo beaches are under red flag conditions until further notice. The water will be closed to swimming and wading at all ocean facilities.
Beaches will remain open for sand access, but no water access will be permitted until conditions are safe to reopen.
Town of Brookhaven
Brookhaven Town Parks will be closing all ocean beaches today and tomorrow, but staff will remain on-site to make sure people do not enter the water.
The town will reassess the conditions on Friday.
Town of East Hampton
East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez convened a meeting with the town's police department, lifeguards, emergency management department, marine patrol, highway department, parks and recreation department and other lawmakers on Monday.
The town reviewed its emergency plans and put a plan into action.
Yesterday afternoon, surf conditions were raised from green to yellow, meaning rip currents observed were not safe for less experienced swimmers. Crews began moving equipment on Tuesday and pulled them back to higher ground.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ordered the town's Natural Resources Department to remove piping plover nesting fencing at Atlantic Avenue to prevent it from being washed into the ocean.
Suffolk Aviation, at the town's request, did an aerial survey of the South Shore beaches while the town flew drones to record pre-storm conditions and dunes. Town officials said this will help monitor post-storm erosion effects.
"I want to assure you that the town is prepared," Burke-Gonzalez said. "We are in close contact with Suffolk County and our emergency service partners and our lifeguards and staff are working hard to make sure we are ready."
Fire Island
Due to hazardous swimming conditions related to offshore Hurricane Erin, the beaches at Watch Hill and Sailors Haven will be closed until Saturday, Aug. 23.
Town of Hempstead
The town of Hempstead made several changes at its beach ahead of Hurricane Erin.
Today, beaches will be open for access only but closed to swimming due to dangerous surf and rip currents.
On Thursday, beaches will be fully closed.
This includes Point Lookout Civic, Point Lookout Town Park, Lido, Lido Mushrooms, Sands, Anchor, Lido Civic, Lido West, East Atlantic Beach, Atlantic Beach Estates, Malibu, Hewlett Point and Harbor Isle.
"This closure is for the safety of all residents and visitors due to expected dangerous surf, rip currents, and coastal impacts from Hurricane Erin," the town wrote in a notice online.
City of Long Beach
Long Beach City Manager Daniel Creighton told the city council last night that they began closely monitoring Hurricane Erin last week when they held an all-department roundtable to review the city's hurricane plan.
"While it currently appears we will be spared the worst of the storm," he said. "Now is the perfect time for our residents to review their preparedness plans."
The city began removing lifeguard chairs and relocating trailers off the beach yesterday as a precaution.
City officials said it is highly likely they will prohibit swimming starting today through Friday.
Tonight's free summer concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. at Edwards Boulevard, will most likely be moved to Kennedy Plaza.
Town of Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said lifeguards at Tobay will decide hour-by-hour whether to permit swimming in the water.
For now, he said restaurants in the area will remain open.
Expect to see town crews making preparations along the shoreline.
"We are going to create a berm in front of all three tunnels that go under Ocean Parkway to keep the surf out of those tunnels that could do damage," Saladino said on Tuesday.
Town highway crews are also working to clear out storm drains in advance of any flooding.
Town of Southampton
Swimming is prohibited at town ocean beaches today and may be extended as necessary.
"Follow all directives of the lifeguards and Town personnel to keep yourself and them safe," the town wrote in an alert online.
News 12 sent requests early this morning for more information about storm preparations to Nassau County and the Town of Islip, but has not yet heard back.