Rip Current — Southeast Suffolk, New York

2022-07-19 · Southeast Suffolk, New York

Event narrative

A 31-year-old swimmer drowned in the ocean off Montauk when he went into the water with three other people, East Hampton police said Wednesday. Mr. Kitburi, Ms. Jensen, and Ms. Turner had been swimming for only a few minutes before they were 'quickly pulled to deeper water and separated by rough conditions and a strong rip current,' Benjamin Z. Kitburi was already unconscious when he was pulled from the water shortly after 7:30 p.m. by three nearby surfers, according to the East Hampton Town Police. His fiancee, Persia Jensen, 26, and a friend, Jensen Turner, 32, who also live in Montauk, were able to 'swim back to shore and exit the water before collapsing,' police said.

Wider weather episode

A 31-year-old swimmer drowned in the ocean off Montauk NY. A rip current statement was in effect for a high risk of rip current development and strong rips currents were observed.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1089587. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.