LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — Gov. Kathy Hochul reopened swimming at Long Island state beaches on Friday after rough conditions from Hurricane Franklin subsided.
“With the peak hurricane season upon us, keeping New Yorkers prepared and out of harm’s way is a top priority,” Hochul said. “I am pleased the flooding and rough surf on our Long Island coast has diminished, and New Yorkers can enjoy a wonderful Labor Day weekend at the beach.”
Swimming restrictions were put in place on Wednesday at Robert Moses, Hither Hills, and Jones Beach state parks. High water levels caused flooding and, in some cases, created impassable areas, according to state officials.
In a video recorded at Jones Beach Theater, concertgoers stood in about a foot of floodwater as they watched Smashing Pumpkins and Interpol perform on Wednesday night. The high water levels were also a result of the blue supermoon.
In the Town of Hempstead, officials also shut down swimming due to dangerous rip currents stemming from a hurricane down south. The outer bands of Hurricane Franklin hit Bermuda this week.
Several additional beaches in Nassau County were closed due to elevated bacterial levels.
These four beaches will remain closed until testing indicates samples are within acceptable limits.
