While Hurricane Erin will not be hitting our area directly, state parks are preparing for its impact to the region.

"We had to get ready," says George Gorman, regional director of New York State Parks. The South Shore and East End will see rough, strong waves and gusty winds. So, over the weekend, crews started preparing at Jones Beach by removing trash bins and some lifeguard equipment and bringing in sandbags and building a sand wall. "Although hurricanes are hundreds of miles away, we could still see the effects on the shoreline," says Gorman. It's in part to help protect the infrastructure at Jones Beach. "During Super Storm Sandy, we had severe damages here. So we said let's build a little wall of sand to make sure that we can protect it as best as we can," says Gorman. Right now, that wall of sand is 3 feet high, but officials say it will go to 8 feet if needed. As for swimming, lifeguards are on high alert. "They're going to see conditions, and if they worsen, if we have to, we will restrict swimming, or we will prohibit swimming," says Gorman. Beachgoers say they're not too concerned, but appreciate that preparations are underway. "Any preparation on the beach is good, it's important," says Anna, a Bethpage resident. "It's great that they're thinking ahead and protecting everybody," says Jessica Maltese, of Huntington. State Parks crews are also doing this at Robert Moses State Park and Hither Hills State Park in Montauk. Suffolk County Parks says the outer beach at Smith Point will be closing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday until further notice.