Leslie Downgraded To Tropical Storm; Rip Currents Lead To Swimming Limitations At L.I. Beaches
BABYLON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - Leslie is way out at sea but it's close enough to stir up major problems at beaches up and down the East Coast.
WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs On The Story
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Although the National Weather Service said Hurricane Leslie weakened to a tropical storm Friday morning, there was a ferocious surf along the beach at Robert Moses State Park Friday morning caused by T.S. Leslie.
The tremendous force has been creating dangerous rip currents, which earlier forced officials to close Jones Beach, Hither Hills, and Robert Moses to swimming.
However, there is now a reprieve and Jones Beach and Robert Moses are allowing swimmers into the water only if they remain within the flags in front of the lifeguard stands, CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
Hither Hills remains off limits to swimming.
Policies will be reevaluated over the weekend.
Beachgoers are taking their own precautions as the dangerous swirling surf pounds Long Island.
"Even at the edge of the water I can feel it just pulling me out there, I wouldn't try to go out," said Jones Beach patron Mike Casella.
"Use your head," one man said. "When you tempt fate, something happens."
Meanwhile, surfers along the Jersey Shore have been enjoying the six-foot waves Leslie has been kicking up.
