High Surf — Queens, New York

2009-11-13 · Queens, New York

Event narrative

A man surfing alone in the waters off Rockaway Beach drowned when his leg strap became tangled and rough surf pulled him underwater.

Wider weather episode

A strong and persistent east northeast wind gradient existed over the region between strong low pressure off the Carolinas (remnants of Ida) and a strong high pressure system located over Eastern Canada between November 11th and the 14th. The tidal piling over several tidal cycles caused widespread moderate coastal flooding along the south shore back bays of Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island and the eastern bays of Long Island. Minor to locally moderate coastal flooding occurred along New York Harbor and Western Long Island Sound. High seas and long period easterly swells also caused significant beach erosion along Atlantic Ocean facing beaches.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 202310. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.