Governor Hochul Announces Swimming on Long Island Ocean Beaches Has Resumed Ahead of Labor Day Weekend as Hurricane-impacted Conditions Subside

 

Swimming Has Reopened at Robert Moses, Hither Hills and Jones Beach State Parks After Rough Conditions Caused By Hurricane Franklin Subside

New Yorkers Encouraged to Sign Up for Real-Time Emergency Alerts via NY-Alert to Receive Real-Time Weather and Emergency Alerts During Hurricane Season

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced swimming can resume safely at Long Island state beaches now that rough conditions resulting from Hurricane Franklin have subsided.

“With the peak hurricane season upon us, keeping New Yorkers prepared and out of harms way is a top priority,” Governor Hochul said. “I am pleased the flooding and rough surf on our Long Island coast has diminished, and New Yorkers can enjoy a wonderful Labor Day weekend at the beach.”

State Park lifeguards and staff assessed conditions Friday morning and determined conditions were safe for swimming. Swimming resumed at 9 a.m. at Robert Moses and Jones Beach State Parks and at 10 a.m. at Hither Hills State Park. All three ocean beaches experienced significant water levels, rough surf and rip currents, with extensive flooding at the Jones Beach beachfront and unpassable areas at Robert Moses and Hither Hills. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will continue monitoring conditions across state parks.

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “I’m grateful for the extensive knowledge of our oceanfront staff, lifeguards and Park Police, who always put the safety of our visitors first. Though conditions have improved greatly, we urge park visitors to stay alert when at our beaches and pools, and follow all direction of our lifeguards and park staff.”

For information on swimming at state parks across New York, visit parks.ny.gov/recreation/swimming.

While the Atlantic hurricane season began in June, the threat of tropical storms impacting New York state is traditionally highest in the months of September and October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently increased its prediction for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, shifting from a “near-normal” level of activity to an “above-normal” level of activity. As of August, NOAA forecasters predicted a total of 14-21 named storms during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.