Hurricane Ernesto to churn waters off Long Island, creating dangerous surf conditions through weekend

Hurricane Ernesto is set to bring dangerous swimming conditions and possible rain to Long Island this weekend, as the Category 2 hurricane is expected to pass through Bermuda on Saturday and impact the Northeast.

While it will pass 800 miles offshore, the giant storm will be churning the ocean off Long Island, the National Weather Service said.

Ernesto will create dangerous swimming conditions and a rip current statement is in effect until Saturday at 9 p.m. for all South Shore beaches. The storm could bring 6-foot waves with minor coastal flooding.

Weather service meteorologist John Murray said: "Larger waves are moving into the local waters. The high risk of rip currents is expected to continue this weekend, all ocean beaches in New York City and Long Island through Saturday evening and likely through Sunday."

Saturday will stay predominantly dry, with a high around 80 degrees, but clouds will move in later in the day and there is a chance for showers Saturday night and Sunday. 

Long Island state parks officials are taking precautions from Jones Beach to Montauk, said Long Island State Parks Regional Director George Gorman.

Parks officials moved sandbags to various buildings and built a wall of sand on the beach in front of the Central Mall, between the east and west bath houses, Gorman said of Jones Beach. 

"We're taking steps when we start to see hurricane effects on the beaches and will monitor when surf conditions start to worsen," Gorman said. "We're most concerned Sunday into Monday about the moon tide along with the storm."

Lifeguards will monitor surf and rip tide conditions through the weekend, he said. Park workers planned to move lifeguard equipment and trash cans to higher ground near the boardwalk to prevent anything from being swept out to sea, Gorman said. 

"We are concerned about Montauk. There have been several erosion events in the past winter and we're taking action to protect facility buildings," Gorman said. "Flooding is more a concern than the erosion at this point."

A separate storm front from the Midwest is expected to move over Long Island by Saturday night and bring light rain through Sunday night, according to the weather service. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 70s and there will be periodic rain through Monday. 

Sunny skies are forecast to return through next week with dry conditions and highs in the mid-70s for most of Long Island. 

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.