Passing Tropical Storm Expected To Cause High Surf In RI

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Although Tropical Storm Erin is expected to skirt past Southern New England over the next few days without making landfall, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is warning Rhode Islanders to be extra cautious at beaches. Starting Wednesday and continuing over the next few days, high surf and strong currents are expected along the shoreline.

Strong currents can quickly turn deadly. Last October, a young couple fishing on the rocks at Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown was swept away by a large wave. Both quickly drowned.

Although the storm is forecasted to stay well offshore of Rhode Island, the National Weather Service still expects it to create rip currents and high surf to the state's south-facing beaches and shorelines, including in Narragansett, Charlestown and Westerly. Breakers between three and five feet high are expected in Rhode Island and Block Island Sounds, with individual waves as much as double normal heights.

The DEM encouraged both anglers and storm watchers to stay well away from anywhere waves could possibly break over, including breachways, breakwalls and fishing areas. Even areas that seem to be safe can quickly become dangerous if a wave breaks onto it, since powerful waves can easily drag a person into the water.