Crime & Safety
No Swimming At Island Beach State Park This Weekend
You can still enjoy the sunny weather this weekend, but stay on the sand and out of the water, officials urge.
ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NJ — A sunny weekend is in store, but if you go to the beach, officials ask that you please stay out of the water.
Island Beach State Park is one of many at the Jersey Shore that has announced there will be no swimming this weekend due to Hurricane Lee bringing rough surf and rip currents.
Lifeguards will be present at swimming area one both Saturday and Sunday and people are still allowed to relax on the beach. But they cannot go into the water.
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Not only will surf be dangerous, there has been a recent trend of swimmers getting caught in rip currents with dozens of water rescues and at least four deaths.
In the last two weeks, the incidents have included a surfer running in to keep people afloat after getting caught in rough surf. Lifeguards forming a human chain to pull people out of the water. A boogie boarder and lifeguards rescuing a swimmer in distress. Police officers pulling a man from a rip current.
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READ MORE: Ocean Swimmers May Face Tickets In Jersey Shore Beach Towns
Those with mobile sport fishing vehicle licenses have to leave Island Beach State Park early Friday. Conditions will be reevaluated Saturday morning.
This article contains additional reporting by Karen Wall.
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