Press Releases

NYC Beaches in Brooklyn, Queens, and NPS Jacob Riis Beach will close as National Weather Service predicts swells of up to 6ft, wind gusts of up to 12 mph, and life-threatening rip currents

NYC Parks and National Park Service (NPS) today announced that all beaches in Brooklyn, Queens, and Jacob Riis Beach will be closed to swimming Saturday, August 17 and Sunday, August 18, due to the dangerous conditions predicted as an effect of Tropical Storm Ernesto--lifeguards will be on duty.

The National Weather Service predicts a dangerous rip current threat with possible ocean swells of up to 6 ft., Saturday and Sunday, which will affect all Atlantic Ocean beaches.

“Our primary focus is keeping New Yorkers safe, so as the impacts of Tropical Storm Ernesto approach New York City, we are closing our ocean-facing beaches in Queens and Brooklyn this weekend to protect New Yorkers from dangerous rip currents,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “New Yorkers should know the ocean is more powerful than you are, particularly this weekend. Do not risk your life, or the lives of first responders, by swimming while our beaches are closed.”

“In consultation with our sister agency, the National Park Service (NPS) and based on conditions projected by the National Weather Service, Parks is closing beaches in Brooklyn and Queens to swimming tomorrow and Sunday,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “Lifeguards will be on duty and patrolling the beaches, and we strongly urge all New Yorkers not to risk their lives by ignoring this directive.”

In addition, Parks enforcement staff will be posted along the coastline to enforce the swimming ban. New Yorkers are advised to adhere to all instructions for their own safety, and to visit Notify NYC for updates on beach closures.