Dangerous waves close Lake Worth Beach pier for weekend. What to know

Dangerous wave conditions have led to the closure of the Lake Worth Beach pier this weekend. The pier closed on Friday, Sept. 25, and is expected to reopen on Monday, Sept. 28, according to a social-media post by the city. “The beach and all businesses will still be open,” reads the statement on the

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What is the story about?

Dangerous wave conditions have led to the closure of the Lake Worth Beach pier this weekend.

The pier closed on Friday, Sept. 25, and is expected to reopen on Monday, Sept. 28, according to a social-media post by the city.

“The beach and all businesses will still be open,” reads the statement on the city’s Facebook page.

The closure comes as Palm Beach County feels the effects of the first cold front of the fall season. It was pushed into the county by a strong nor’easter storm that is bringing heavy rain, fierce winds and high water to the Northeast and possibly as far south as North and South Carolina.

What's causing the dangerous wave conditions?

The storm in the north is sending out some swell.

Coastal

Palm Beach County is under a high surf advisory until 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. A high rip current risk and a coastal flood statement are in effect through the morning of Sunday, Sept. 27. The breaking waves at the beaches in the county are expected to reach as high as 6 to 8 feet during the advisory period.

Waves crash against the Lake Worth Beach pier, which was closed due to heavy swells and strong winds Saturday morning, February 22, 2020. Winds were predicted to be 20-30mph, and the weather service issued a high surf advisory until 7am Sunday and says there is a high rip current risk until 7pm Sunday.

The impacts could include water on low-lying roads and property, dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion, according to the National Weather Service.

George Rizzuto, a meteorologist with the NWS in Miami, said swimming in the ocean could be dangerous this weekend and that lifeguards might fly red flags at the beaches in the county.

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” reads a weather service alert.

How to stay safe in dangerous surf conditions?

A couple walks along Midtown Beach where red high hazard flags are flying on Palm Beach Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Beach condition signs warn of rip currents, a strong current, and seaweed.

Here are safety tips, according to the weather service:

Do not drive through flooded roadways.
Inexperienced swimmers should stay out of the water during dangerous surf conditions.
Swim near a lifeguard.
If you are caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If you are able to, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If you can't escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.

Maya Washburn is a Trending News Reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dangerous waves close Lake Worth Beach pier for weekend. What to know