Authorities warned that only swimmers experienced with handling ocean surf should enter the water at New York City and Long Island beaches this July 4th weekend.
On Saturday, the National Weather Service warned there was a high risk of rip currents for swimmers in Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County.
In the afternoon, officials downgraded the risk to "moderate" and said conditions could lead to stronger and more frequent rip currents. The "moderate" level risk was set to be in place Sunday as well.
Beach-goers should pay special attention to flags and signs on the shore, the service said. Swimmers who get caught in a rip current should stay calm and swim parallel to shore instead of fighting the current.
The warnings came after Hurricane Arthur disrupted weather in the area before being downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm. On Friday night, a rip current caused New York City's July 4 fireworks show to be shifted slightly south shortly before the show was set to begin.
