Smith Point County Park Beach in Shirley—along with other nearby oceanfronts—suffered significant damage during the Nor’easter that battered Long Island from Sunday, October 15th, into Monday the 16th.
In the days since, the shore has barely shored up—certainly not enough to call the locale in question hospitable by any means for beachgoers anytime soon.
Dog walkers, joggers, and fall explorers should take heed of the precedent set by the late-August 2024 superstorms and find alternative routes, as organized restoration and nature's slow healing process begin to take shape.
As summer paves way for an autumnal takeover, it’s imperative that residents living near ocean waters understand best practices in safety.
Local officials have been vocal in their push for emergency state and federal aid to address the environmental and economic impacts of severe erosion.
While these talks progress, beach conditions remain treacherous. The lifeguards have gone home for the season—it’s wisest you do the same.
Rob Miller, an avid fisherman from Syosset, advised in conversation with The South Shore to proceed with caution when casting reels under heavy winds and rainfall.
“I personally prefer fishing the tail end of these storms; the water is still good and churned up, which gets fish more active, but you don’t have to deal with worrying about using heavier tackle and struggling to get a read on the beach like you do in the middle of a storm,” he said.
“If you’re trying to be cautious,” Miller continued, “I would avoid venturing too far out on any jetties to fish during a storm. The waves can be very unpredictable and the current can be very strong around jetties so you can easily find yourself in a dangerous situation if you aren’t abreast of your surroundings.”
There you have it; to the greater beach-loving community: beware the tides of fall.