For camping trips to Long Island’s south shore in New York, ocean warnings matter more than clear skies. In an update issued at 2:58 a.m. EDT on September 10, the National Weather Service in New York kept a high risk of rip currents in effect through that evening for the coasts of Brooklyn and southern Queens, southern Nassau, and southwestern and southeastern Suffolk. Breaking waves of 3 to 6 feet were expected along the shore.
Areas Affected
This advisory concerns wave and rip-current hazards in the south-shore areas specified by the National Weather Service. The city name used when choosing an RV campground may differ from the location of the beach where visitors plan to swim, so travelers should check notices for the beach they intend to visit. Conditions should not be assumed to be the same at every waterfront location on Long Island.
The weather service warned that even strong swimmers can be carried into deeper water by rip currents and advised beach visitors to stay out of the breaking surf. Minor beach flooding was also possible around high tide that day, particularly during the morning. The actual operating status and road access for individual RV campgrounds should be checked separately from this advisory.
What RV Travelers Need to Know
Coastal plans for the day were better shifted to activities outside the water. The NWS explains that rip currents can form even when it is sunny and the weather appears calm. Rather than waiting to read hazard signs upon arrival, travelers should check the beach forecast before leaving and follow lifeguard instructions and posted closures on site.
If caught in a rip current, do not try to swim directly against it. The weather service advises staying afloat and remaining calm, then moving parallel to the shoreline if possible. If you cannot get out, call toward shore or wave for help. Knowing these response steps does not mean it is safe to enter the water on a day when a high risk is forecast.
Even when lodging remains open, there can be days when the ocean is off-limits. Do not commit to swimming the next day based only on the advisory’s evening expiration; check the new beach forecast in the morning before deciding on plans. This article is based on the update issued the morning of September 10, and subsequent on-site controls take priority.
More information: NWS New York September 10 rip-current advisory · NWS rip-current safety guidance
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