A swimmer from Long Island went missing in the ocean near Robert Moses State Park as powerful 18-foot waves crashed onto the shore, caused by a severe nor’easter affecting the New York City area.
The man, whose identity hasn’t been revealed, was last seen around 2:30 p.m. in the water close to Field 3, which is at the western tip of Fire Island. After that, he vanished from sight and hasn’t been reported out of the water, according to the New York State Police.
Authorities initiated a search for the man, who was described as a white male wearing dark shorts.
While police haven’t provided further details about the missing swimmer, they have asked for help from anyone who may have been in the area and noticed anything unusual.
Search efforts were paused on Saturday evening due to darkness but are expected to resume on Sunday.
Hazardous conditions at the popular Fire Island park were reported as the storm continued to batter the East Coast. Wave heights averaged 18 feet, with sea levels estimated between 15 and 20 feet, and significant swells reaching up to 25 feet at times, according to the National Weather Service.
Wind speeds were dangerously high, ranging from 35 to 45 miles per hour, with gusts surpassing 60 mph.
Areas including Long Island, New York City, parts of New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, and Massachusetts were under storm and coastal flood warnings.
The first confirmed fatality related to this late September storm occurred about an hour after the swimmer was reported missing. Leighton Brown, a 56-year-old NYCHA worker, tragically lost his life after being struck by a tree that was uprooted by the strong winds in Brooklyn.
Brown suffered severe trauma from the incident in East New York and was taken to a local hospital but sadly was pronounced dead shortly after 5 p.m.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his condolences on social media, sharing thoughts of support for Brown’s family during this difficult time. He emphasized the need to remember Brown’s service to the city.
In response to the storm’s severity, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has declared a state of emergency for the southern counties of the state, advising residents to avoid the water altogether, including swimming, surfing, and boating.
Hochul warned of life-threatening conditions due to dangerous rip currents and high surf, urging the public to keep away from beaches and jetties where unexpected waves could pose serious risks.
This state of emergency took effect starting Sunday, coinciding with predictions of the storm’s most intense activity during the morning.
A significant weather pattern was forecasted to merge with the cyclone located just off New York City and push toward New Jersey and Long Island overnight, leading to severe impacts throughout coastal southern New England and the northern Mid-Atlantic on Sunday.
Long Island is currently under a High Wind Warning, with winds already causing tree falls and power outages across the area. Reports indicate nearly 17,000 residents in Suffolk County and about 2,000 in Nassau were without electricity as of early Sunday morning.
