Surf swollen in New Smyrna Beach & other Volusia coastal cities

Hurricane Irene continues to churn closer to the Florida coastline on this early Friday as shown in the graphic from the National Weather Channel. With wind gusts in excess of 45 mph, the surf is swollen as shown in this photo taken 5:45 p.m. Thursday on Bethune Beach in New Smyrna Beach by Roxanne Reynolds Hicks, who operates the website newsmyrnabeachmom.com.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Volusia County's coastal cities -- from Ormond Beach to Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet and New Smyrna Beach -- were bracing for the remote possibility of Hurricane Irene turning in here, but the National Weather Service has it striking the Carolinas and Virginia.

Naturally, the beach was a big draw for residents and tourists alike throughout the day Thursday and well into the evening, more so for photographs and videos and an inviting challenge for some daring surfers.

Suffice to say it wasn't a good family beach day and neither will today with a 40 percent chance of scattered showers and temperatures peaking at 91. Winds are expected to gust in the low-to mid 40s. By Friday night, winds are expected to lessen into the 30s with continued rain showers.

Photos courtesy of Dan Mongosa / TV cameras draw the interest of spectators on the beach in New Smyrna Beach while a lone woman shown here finds solace on the beach.

BEACHES CLOSED TO DRIVING UNTIL SATURDAY: Hurricane Irene’s winds have caused extreme high tides along Volusia County’s beaches, forcing the county to close the beach to driving today and Friday. Depending on conditions, the beach may reopen to driving Saturday morning or afternoon.

Scott Petersohn, deputy chief of the county’s Beach Safety Division, said tides are two feet above normal and surges may go to the seawall over the next two days. Lifeguards are removing vehicles, towers and traffic control signs from the beach in preparation for increasing wind and tides 

The beaches remain open, but there will be a reduced number of lifeguards on the beach until Saturday. Residents and visitors may park in off-beach parking lots and walk along the beach.

The Beach Patrol recommends that people stay out of the water until at least Saturday because of the strong, pounding surf, which is reaching six to eight feet.

“The waves can pick you up and slam you into the ocean floor,” Petersohn said. “It’s extremely dangerous.”

Beginning Saturday, strong offshore winds are expected to change the threat from rough surf to rip currents. The surf height is expected to drop to normal levels, making the water look safe, but serious rip currents and debris in the surf will be a major issue until Labor Day. Beachgoers should be extremely cautious and swim only in front of lifeguards.

EDGEWATER ON ALERT: City officials are continuing to monitor conditions as Hurricane Irene approaches the coast of Florida. All City departments are fully staffed, Fire Services spokeswoman Capt. Jill Danigel said. The City’s stormwater system has been inspected to ensure there are no clogged drainage canals or storm drains. Contingency plans are in place in the event of any loss of power to City facilities.

While no flooding rain is expected, there is a sand pile located just north of Fire Station 57 (2628 Hibiscus Drive). Residents must bring their own shovels and sand bags. Sand bags are sold commercially at area hardware/home improvement stores. An alternative to sand bags are double bagged heavy duty garbage bags.

 Residents are urged to stay tuned to NSBNews.net and other local media outlets as well as city’s website -- www.cityofedgewater.org -- for the latest updates.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ADVISORIES

...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT FRIDAY... ...RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT FRIDAY...  WAVES AND SURF...BUILDING SWELLS FROM MAJOR HURRICANE IRENE WILL CHURN UP LARGE BREAKERS UP TO 8 TO 12 FEET AT ATLANTIC COAST BEACHES INTO FRIDAY. THIS ROUGH AND POUNDING SURF ALONG WITH STRONG RIP CURRENTS WILL MAKE THE SURF ZONE VERY HAZARDOUS. PERSONS ARE ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE WATER AS LARGE BREAKERS CAN EASILY KNOCK YOU DOWN AND SWEEP YOU OUT INTO DEEPER WATER.