ORLEANS, MASS. (WHDH) - As southern New England prepares for the brunt of Hermine as it moves up the East Coast, beaches across the state closed ahead of the storm.
Tractors rolled on Nauset Beach in Orleans to pick up and remove every lifeguard stand, so they were not blown away by Hermine’s high winds. Mid-afternoon, waves at the beach reached a height of 8 feet.
Rip currents were so dangerous that the beach was closed and people were warned to stay out of the water.
“The lifeguards said high tide was coming in and we needed to come off the beach,” said Orleans resident Barbara Burrill. “They wouldn’t let anyone stay.”
Orleans Harbormaster, Nathan Sears, said major beach erosion is expected.
“We’re basically losing all the sand that’s built up over the summer,” said Sears.
Over at Horseneck Beach in Westport, high surf and heavy winds did not stop people from checking out the waves.
“We were just expecting building swells throughout the day, it’s probably anywhere from 4 to 6 feet or more, we’ve closed the water to swimming and surfing today as well,” said Owen Worden, head lifeguard at Horseneck Beach.
High winds on the beach sent towels, hats and bags flying. The blowing sand covered the walkways. Lifeguards closed the water to swimming and surfing.
Fishing boats were tied to the docks, not taking any chances with seas expecting to surge to 12 feet or higher.
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