VIDEO: Hours Ahead Of High Tide, Waves Roll Past Steps On Beach At Smith Point County Park In Shirley

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — The waves of the Atlantic Ocean were rolling well past the steps leading to the beach at Smith Point County Park in Shirley on Friday afternoon.

Hours before high tide at 7 p.m., the waves thrashed the beach as throngs of visitors braved the wind to catch a glimpse of the beginning of the nor'easter slated to slam Long Island this week.

Many visitors to the beach had their cellphones out recording the moment as they watched from the boardwalk of the park's pavilion, and chatted among themselves. The beach was inaccessible after being blocked off by county officials earlier in the day.

Earlier in the day at a news conference, County Executive Ed Romaine told members of the press that the waves were crashing up to the steps and there was concern about the water breaching through the barrier island to the bayside.

A storm surge produced a massive breach of the beach, which is located on Fire Island National Seashore, at high tide during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

State of Emergency declarations were issued by Romaine, as well as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, followed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico.