Swimmers on Long Island cautioned to stay out of the surf due to rip current risk

Swimmers at ocean beaches across Long Island are urged to stay out of the surf as dangerous rip currents persist, likely through Saturday evening.

Suffolk County’s Office of Emergency Management issued a rip current risk Saturday, warning of “life-threatening” rip currents. The alert applies to southwest and southeast Suffolk.

Restrictions are in place at Hither Hills State Park in Montauk, where 3- to 5-foot waves pose an “extreme” rip current risk, according to state parks Regional Director George Gorman.

“We have restricted swimming out of Hither Hills to just in front of the lifeguards, and they can’t go too far out into the water,” Gorman said in an interview Saturday afternoon.

No restrictions are in place at Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks, though Gorman said there are moderate rip current conditions at those beaches.

He cautioned beachgoers to be mindful of changing conditions, listen to lifeguards and not swim in red flag areas. State parks lifeguards are on duty until 8 p.m., he said.

“Swim only in lifeguard-protected areas,” Gorman said Saturday.

The rip current risk remains in effect after dozens of swimmers were rescued from ocean waters Friday. At Smith Point County Park in Shirley, 46 swimmers were saved Friday, according to county officials.

Gorman said 35 people were rescued from rip currents at Robert Moses on Friday.

The National Weather Service issued a similar coastal hazard alert Saturday, urging anyone visiting the beaches to stay out of the water.

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” according to the weather service alert.

If caught in a rip current, experts suggest staying calm and not attempt to swim against the current. Instead, swim parallel to the shore or float on your back and signal for help.