NEW YORK — A high rip current risk is in effect Monday at ocean beaches in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.
That includes beaches along the Rockawayslike Jacob Riis Park, where Two teenagers disappeared into the water last weekConey Island Beach and Manhattan Beach in New York City.
The National Weather Service has issued a high rip current warning and said anyone visiting the beaches should stay out of the water.
CBS New York
What is a rip current?
A rip current is a powerful, narrow channel of fast-moving water that flows from the coast to the sea. They often appear as a calm, narrow strip of water between areas of breaking waves, which can be misleading.
High currents will pull swimmers away from shore, according to the National Weather Service. If you find yourself in a rip current, officials say to swim in a direction parallel to the shoreline.
Teenagers disappear into the water in Jacob Riis Park
Two teenagers went into the water just after 6 p.m. on Friday and have not been found. A massive search was launched this weekend, with divers and Navy drones scouring more than 600 square miles.
The rescue attempt turned into a recovery attempt, and is paused.
“I have a teenager myself and I’m absolutely terrified of the currents. When I hear that word, I don’t go near the water,” said Dari Litchman, who was at the beach Monday.
The parents of 16-year-old Elyhja Chandler said their son and his 17-year-old friend were swept away by the waves. It was unclear whether they were caught in a rip current.
“One of the kids was there, they said the wave came in so hard,” said his father, Urshell Chandler. “He looked at him and said, ‘help me, help me…’ and then he just disappeared into the water.”
“They’re both children, and I’m a mother, so I wish we could find them both. You know, it’s very hard,” added his mother, Aminatu Noah. “I just feel empty because he’s my only son.”
Lifeguards are on the beach from 10am to 6pm Officials say the calls for help came in just after 6 p.m
One parent said the boys’ friends tried to find a lifeguard but were unsuccessful and called 911 instead.
The weather in New York this week
See the New York City area a break from the excessive heat to start the week, but temperatures will be back in the 90s again on Wednesday.
CBS New York
Monday: Warm, breezy morning with temperatures in the 70s. Not so hot, windy and less humid in the afternoon. Highs in the low to mid 80s.
Monday night: Usually clear and mild. Lows in the 60s.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs around 90.
CBS New York
Wednesday: Hot and humid with thunderstorms likely into the afternoon and evening. Highs in the low 90s, but it will feel like the mid 90s.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, cooler and less humid. Highs in the low to mid 80s.
Friday: Sunny, warm and pleasant. Highs in the low 80s.
See our summer heat safety tips here, and stick with the First Alert Weather team for the latest forecasts and weather warnings.
Natalie Duddridge
