No Incoming Traffic, Only Campers Allowed At Smith Point County Park: Exec

SHIRLEY, NY — No incoming traffic is allowed at Smith Point County Park in Shirley, Executive Ed Romaine said in a post to Facebook on Sunday morning.

"Only campers will have access to and from Smith Point Beach," he said.

On Friday at a news conference about preparations for the nor'easter, Romaine expressed concern about erosion after touring the park to see waves lapping at the steps leading from the pavilion to the beach. He said that officials expected "massive erosion" along the county's coastlines.

He reiterated that concern on Saturday as he updated constituents on the storm's damage.

He said widespread dune erosion and localized overwash will continue through Sunday, "especially at high tide and in areas where dunes are already compromised."

Breaking waves were forecast to be seven to 11 feet.

The waves of the Atlantic Ocean were rolling well past the steps leading to the beach at Smith Point County Park in Shirley at around 4:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

Hours before high tide at 7 p.m., the waves thrashed the beach as throngs of visitors braved the wind to catch a glimpse of the beginning of the nor'easter slated to slam Long Island this week.

Many visitors to the beach had their cellphones out recording the moment as they watched from the boardwalk of the park's pavilion, and chatted among themselves. The beach was inaccessible after being blocked off by county officials earlier in the day.

State of Emergency declarations were issued by Romaine, as well as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, followed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico.