Hurricane Erin prompts swimming closures, rip present warnings in southern Maine

Old Orchard Beach lifeguards Brodie Berlinger, left, and Nate Underwood watch swimmers from the lifeguard stand Thursday. The yellow flag signifies medium hazard, with reasonable surf and/or currents current. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer)

As Hurricane Erin lingers a number of hundred miles offshore, riptides and excessive surf have prompted coastal cities in southern Maine to submit advisories, and a few seashores are prohibiting swimming.

The climate service issued alerts for prime rip present danger on Thursday and a excessive surf advisory from 6 a.m. Friday to eight p.m. Saturday.

The Old Orchard Beach Fire Department is asking residents and guests to remain out of the water.

“Hurricane Erin, although not making landfall in Maine, is creating high surf, powerful rip currents, and dangerous wave action along our shoreline,” the hearth division said Thursday. “Conditions are expected to be life-threatening for swimmers, surfers and boaters.”

Old Orchard Beach braces for impacts from hurricane Erin Thursday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer) Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland

There is not any swimming allowed at any York seashores by Sunday, the York Police Department mentioned in a social media submit Thursday.

“Monitor the lifeguard stations for the coming days to know if it is safe to swim,” the division mentioned.

Biddeford seashores will probably be flying black flags, the town said Thursday, which suggests no swimming and no browsing resulting from harmful circumstances.

“Visitors are advised that lifeguard coverage will be limited at Pool Beach and Fortunes Rocks will not be staffed, and that entering the water will not be permitted for swimming or surfing,” the town said.

The measures in Biddeford will stay in place by Saturday night, pending modifications in anticipated circumstances, the town mentioned.

Scarborough public security departments advise to “stay out of the water if possible” and obey all posted warnings and lifeguard directions.

“Public cooperation is essential to ensuring safety during this period of heightened ocean risk,” the general public security departments said.

Three surfboards broke at Scarborough Beach State Park on Thursday because of the circumstances, the seashore mentioned in a social media submit, together with a number of photos and movies of rip currents.

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