Franklin Makes Waves at Manasquan
Swells from Powerful Hurricane Generate Large Waves Along Jersey Shore
MANASQUAN, NJ – As Hurricane Idalia slammed into Florida’s Big Bend region, another storm was making an impact along the East Coast. A powerful Category Four Hurricane with maximum sustained winds estimated at 150 miles per hour, Franklin produced indirect impacts along the shoreline from Florida to Maine. Franklin made waves at Manasquan, New Jersey, and other places along the Jersey Shore.
Franklin’s swells put on an impressive show for those in the water and looking on from the shore. The swells from the powerful hurricane spawned rip currents, rough surf, and waves as high as six feet. Large waves crashed ashore a bit further north in Belmar, New Jersey. The wave action began to pick up as early as Tuesday, August 29th. Waves pounded the shoreline and came over the sea wall in North Wildwood.
Manasquan Surfers Enjoy Franklin’s Waves
Surfers were out in large numbers at Manasquan Beach on the afternoon of August 30th. They enthusiastically embraced the unique coastal hazards produced not only by Franklin but also by the Supermoon that emerged during the week. GWC and Hurricaneville traveled down to Manasquan Beach and took video. Towns up and down the Jersey Shore as well as ocean-facing beaches on Long Island had to deal with Coastal Flood Advisories and High Rip Current Risks.
In addition to the Coastal Flood Advisories and High Rip Current Risks, the National Weather Service issued a Small Craft Advisory for waves above five feet. As powerful as Franklin was, it mercifully didn’t impact land. The storm did threaten Bermuda for a time but was mostly a problem for the fish and shipping lanes. Nevertheless, the storm behaved much like a large stone dropped into the middle of a pond. The powerful storm generated ripples of large swells and high seas.
Far-Away Franklin Still Makes an Impact
Despite being located some 370 miles to the west of Bermuda, Franklin was both vast enough and powerful enough to still have an effect on the Mid-Atlantic beaches. After coming ashore and rapidly moving through Florida and the Southeast, Idalia added to the dangerous surf with her remnants joining Franklin to stir up more trouble in the ocean waters. Some of the waves nearly took down a fisherman, who was looking for a big catch in Manasquan Inlet.
Instead, he nearly ended up underwater thanks to the powerful waves and strong currents. Thankfully, a group of people nearby joined together to keep the fisherman from going under and brought him to safety. Unfortunately, there were others who weren’t so lucky. The rip currents persisted through the Labor Day Weekend and into the day on Tuesday. Meanwhile, high pressure that had brought gorgeous weather late last week, moderated and moved offshore.
Dangerous Holiday Weekend at Jersey Beaches
The southwesterly flow around the high produced an increase in heat and humidity. People already on vacation at the local beaches were more compelled to go into the water. The combination of the large waves, rough surf, heat, and humidity produced frightening and even deadly results. There were several drownings and numerous water rescues along the Jersey Shore during the holiday weekend.
On Sunday, a 24-year-old man drowned in the Beach Haven section of Long Beach Island after rip currents pulled him under according to an article in the Asbury Park Press. Another swimmer, a 31-year-old man from Howell, went missing at Seaside Park on Sunday and was found dead on Wednesday morning. Even very good swimmers get swept under and taken away by the treacherous ocean. Those that aren’t can be at even greater peril.
Calmer Waters Await Hurricane Lee
Lifeguards jumped into action to help save a 58-year-old Bordentown resident on vacation in Long Beach Island on Sunday. The coastal waters have gradually calmed down but could get aroused again next week depending upon the track of the newly formed Hurricane Lee in the Central Atlantic. The storm will likely rapidly intensify much like Franklin and Idalia, and may become the strongest Atlantic storm to date in 2023.
Maximum sustained winds are forecast to be at least 155 miles per hour by this weekend. Lee will most likely steer north of the islands and may have some sort of impact on both Bermuda and the United States East Coast sometime next week. It is uncertain at this time whether the impact will be direct or indirect. Here are some helpful hints on how to avoid a rip current courtesy of NOAA and the National Weather Service.