DELMARVA - Swimming is currently not allowed at several beaches across Delmarva, including Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Fenwick Island, Assateague State Park and more, after red flag warnings were issued Monday due to dangerous surf and rip currents.
Rehoboth Beach
Just north in Rehoboth Beach, swimming was banned Monday. On Wednesday, the ocean reopened to beach-goers to enter at waist-deep levels. However, the ocean has closed to swimming again Thursday under a double red flag advisory. The Rehoboth Beach Patrol said it is monitoring the situation closely and restrictions can change at any time.
Dewey Beach
In Dewey Beach, lifeguards officially closed ocean access on Aug. 18 and continues into Thursday. The Town of Dewey Beach said in a Facebook post that the decision was due to “dangerous riptides and waves.” The beach remains open, but people are being urged not to enter the water. Town officials say to secure outdoor items and consider moving cars to higher ground, especially those on the bay side where flooding is common. The town says lifeguards will be parked in vehicles at the dune crossings to keep watch over the beach. The tide is expected to stay low for most of the day, however, if conditions change, the DBP may close beach access.
Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach announced that swimming would be restricted beginning Tuesday morning. However, both ocean and beach access is closed off as of Thursday morning.
South Bethany
South Bethany announced Tuesday afternoon that ocean access was closed, but the beach remained open for walking. This remains the case going into Thursday as waves and rip currents worsen due to Hurricane Erin. The town says lifeguards are stationed at North 6th Street, South 2nd Street and Indian Street.
Fenwick Island
By 7 p.m. Monday, the Town of Fenwick Island restricted ocean access as well, but closed the beach too Tuesday morning. The beach is open to walk on as of Wednesday evening. A post on the town's Facebook page states, “guards will be monitoring conditions and will reopen the beach once the storm passes.” Power outages were also reported in the area Aug. 18.
Ocean City
Ocean City joined the list of closures Tuesday morning, with lifeguards prohibiting swimming due to rough surf. On Thursday, the town urged residents and visitors to take precautions and avoid driving through flooded roadways as flooding is expected from the storm.
Assateague
Maryland State Parks closed ocean access at Assateague State Park around 4 p.m. Monday. In a post, park officials cited dangerous surf as the reason for the closure. As of Thursday, Aug. 21, the Oversand Vehicle Areas, in Maryland and Virginia, are closed until further notice due to flooding and beach erosion.
Chincoteague
Farther south, there is a partial closure of the parking lots at Chincoteague Beach, as officials say they anticipate that this will eventually become a complete closure.
The widespread restrictions come as Hurricane Erin moves north in the Atlantic. While the storm is expected to stay offshore, CoastTV meteorologists say it is generating strong swells, dangerous rip currents and the potential for beach erosion across the region.