Rip Current — Southwest Suffolk, New York

2025-08-23 · Southwest Suffolk, New York

Event narrative

A 59-year-old South Carolina man drowned Saturday afternoon August 23rd while swimming at Sailors Haven on Fire Island. Police said Ishmoile Mohammed became caught in a rip current that pulled him west. Lifeguards brought him to shore about 2:45 p.m. and, with assistance from Fire Island National Seashore staff, tried to save him.

Mohammed, a section chief at New York Army National Guard, was airlifted to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where he was pronounced dead.

Wider weather episode

A 59-year-old South Carolina man drowned on the afternoon of August 23rd while swimming at Sailors Haven on Fire Island. A rip current statement was in effect. 4 to 6 ft of breaking surf and dangerous rip currents were observed by lifeguards at our ocean beaches as Hurricane Erin departed thru the North Atlantic.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1293917. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.