NJ Governor Phil Murphy ‘nervous in a giant means’ about individuals within the ocean as Hurricane Erin stirs up rip currents

MARGATE, N.J. (WPVI) — Swimming is at present prohibited at a number of Jersey Shore seashores as Hurricane Erin churns up hazardous surf situations alongside the coast.

Although lifeguards should not stationed of their ordinary stands, they’re patrolling the seashores to make sure guests keep out of the water. Officials are additionally discouraging browsing and kayaking as a result of tough seas.

Governor Phil Murphy addressed the scenario throughout a press convention on Tuesday morning, emphasizing the dangers posed by the storm’s oblique impacts.

“We are worried in a big way about human nature and complacency,” Murphy mentioned. “We’ve always had a very tough rip tide summer particularly over the past several weeks.”

RELATED: No swimming warning at New Jersey, Delaware seashores as Hurricane Erin creates harmful rip currents

While Hurricane Erin shouldn’t be anticipated to make landfall in New Jersey, the storm is producing giant waves and highly effective rip currents.

State officers are urging beachgoers to heed warnings and keep away from coming into the ocean.

“I don’t want to be the Amityville mayor from Jaws, but the fact of the matter is, I think going in the ocean for the next number of days is something you gotta avoid,” Murphy mentioned.

Several seashore patrols alongside the shore, together with North Wildwood, have issued swimming bans till additional discover.

“You wanna exercise on the beach? Feel free. You want to go on a walk with your family? That’s okay,” mentioned North Wildwood Beach Patrol Chief Bill Ciavarelli. “But the water’s not safe right now. So that would not be a good decision.”

RELATED: Hurricane Erin threatens harmful surf alongside East Coast | New tropical system brews in its wake

Despite the climate, some guests are taking advantage of their time on the shore.

“We came yesterday to wind speeds of about 30 mph and now we got three grandkids with us,” mentioned Joseph Cassidy of Lititz, Pennsylvania. “It’s pouring and windy but we’re still happy to be here.”

In addition to the specter of rip currents, officers are monitoring for reasonable flooding and seashore erosion because the storm continues to maneuver up the coast.