Hurricane Teddy Brings 'Dangerously High' Surf, Wind To RI

NARRAGANSETT, RI — New England may not get a direct hit from Hurricane Teddy as it brushes past the region, but it is still feeling the effects. The storm will bring "dangerously high" seas and strong wind gusts to the coast Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

The highest surf is expected off the eastern edge of Cape Cod, where waves could reach as high as 25 feet. In Rhode Island, Block Island Sound is expected to see 5-to-7-foot waves, and a small craft advisory is in place along all the coast.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental management urged Rhode Islanders to stay off the rocks at the coast during the day, since waves will likely be up to twice their normal height. What may seem like a safe place to watch the waves could be hit by a wave with the force to sweep a person into the water.

Dean Hoxsie, the chief of the DEM's Division of Law Enforcement, urged residents to avoid any contact with the water, including swimming, surfing, wave-watching, shore fishing or going out in a boat.

"By far, the toughest part of a police officer’s job is calling the family members of someone who has just died unexpectedly and breaking the news to them about their loved one," Hoxsie said. "Nothing prepares you for the emotion of that call .... DEM asks the public to think about the first responders whose lives they might jeopardize by getting too close to breaking waves, and to just stay away. Let’s work together to prevent another needless tragedy."

Wind gusts, meanwhile, could reach as high as 40 miles per hour in some areas of the state, prompting a red flag warning for wildfires. Rhode Islanders are urged to be careful with open flames Tuesday, as the dry/drought conditions statewide and wind gusts create perfect conditions for fast-spreading fire.

Here's a look at the latest Rhode Island forecast from the National Weather Service.

Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Tuesday night
Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 51. Northwest wind 14 to 18 mph.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 7 mph.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Light west wind.

Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the morning.

Friday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Light southwest wind.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the morning.

Saturday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 3 to 5 mph.

Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 74. South wind 6 to 13 mph.

Sunday night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Monday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 8 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.