A surfer is seen Stephen O'Sullivan, center, of Rockaway Beach is seen riding a wave at Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York, Saturday, August 22, 2009. The beaches were closed to swimmers due to rough surf caused by Hurricane Bill, but surfers were allowed to stay in the water. (AP Photo/Robert Mecea)
NEW YORK (AP) — Many beaches around the New York City metropolitan area are closed to swimming Saturday because of rough surf generated by Hurricane Bill. At least one beach has been shut altogether as high waves submerged the sand.
State parks official George Gorman says roughly 10-foot waves and the morning high tide flooded the sand Saturday morning at Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island. The beach reopened for sunbathing at 1 p.m., but the choppy water remained off-limits.
Other beaches closed to swimmers include Jones Beach, Rockaway Beach and Coney Island Beach.
The hurricane’s center is expected to stay off the U.S. East Coast, but forecasters say tropical storm-force winds may reach parts of Massachusetts.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
