Coastal towns in Southern Maine are urging people to stay out of the water and be cautious on beaches with Hurricane Erin bringing extremely dangerous conditions as it passes by offshore.
Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, Scarborough, and York have all issued warnings or no-swimming statements in the past day, while there were three broken surfboards at a Scarborough beach on Thursday because of conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory from 6 am Friday until 8 pm Saturday, and recently added a Coastal Flood Advisory from 10 pm Friday until 1 am Saturday.
There’s heightened concern over rip currents being present as the storm passes by offshore.
The Old Orchard Beach Fire Department says conditions are expected to be life-threatening for swimmers, surfers, and boaters, and is asking people to stay out of the water until conditions improve.
“Hurricane Erin, although not making landfall in Maine, is creating high surf, powerful rip currents, and dangerous wave action along our shoreline,” the Old Orchard Beach Fire Department said in a statement.
The city of Biddeford issued a statement saying entering the water will not be permitted for swimming or surfing at Pool Beach and Fortunes Rocks because of dangerous conditions.
“These measures are anticipated to remain in place through the advisory Saturday evening and will continue to be assessed for updates,” the city of Biddeford said.
Lifeguards in York have posted red flag “no swimming” signs. York Police say there’ll be no swimming through Sunday at all York beaches due to dangerous rip currents and high surf.
The Scarborough Public Safety Team is urging people to stay out of the water, observe lifeguard instructions, use cation at rocks and jetties and stay clear of breaking waves and rough surf.
“These conditions are expected to persist over the next several days, creating hazardous swimming and boating conditions,” Scarborough Public Safety said in a statement.
Three surfboards broke at Scarborough Beach State Park on Thursday due to the conditions.
