Rhode Island state beaches are currently closed for the season and are not staffed with lifeguards.
“Storm-generated waves attract onlookers. Some “storm watchers” put themselves in danger by standing too close to the surf on rocks along the shoreline in fishing areas, breakwalls, and breachways. DEM urges Rhode Islanders to stay safe by remaining far away from areas where waves might splash over. Individual waves may be more than twice the average wave height. They possess enormous force and can easily sweep a person into the water from what seems to be a safe viewing area. In addition, swells entering some inlets and harbor entrances could cause difficult navigation for operators of small craft,” said the DEM in their press release.
Hurricane Florence is projected to stay offshore of New England, however, the National Weather Service is forecasting that it will bring large swells and dangerous rip currents to ocean-exposed south-facing shorelines over the next several days.
Breakers ranging from 8 feet to 12 feet high are expected in Rhode Island Sound and Block Island Sound.
See 10 Things to Know About Hurricane Florence in the Slideshow Below
Related Slideshow: 10 Things to Know About Hurricane Florence - September 2018
According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to make landfall by Thursday morning and could be as strong as a Category 3 storm.
However, the center adds that there is a chance the storm reaches land by late Wednesday night.
"The earliest reasonable time that tropical-storm-force winds could arrive in the United States from #Florence is late Wednesday, and the most likely time is Thursday morning. Wednesday should be the last full day to prepare, so plan accordingly," said the Hurricane Center.
Hurricane Florence could bring winds up to 58 miles per hour to the Carolinas and Virginia.
"Florence is likely to cause damaging hurricane-force winds along parts of the coasts of South & North Carolina, & a Hurricane Watch is in effect for some of this area. Damaging winds could also spread well inland into portions of the Carolinas & Virginia," said the National Hurricane Center.
