Just When You Think It's Safe To Go Back Into The Water

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the water, you find out it isn’t 

With no end in sight for the heat wave that has been suffocating the northeast, we are all looking for ways to stay cool. What better way then heading out to the Long Island Shore! Not so fast. As appealing as it seems with the ocean breeze and the waters of the Atlantic that never seem to get above 70 degrees, it’s just not going to happen. The shake your head reason it simple. Sharks! 

Shark sightings have been closing beaches up and down the eastern seaboard for the past week. Of all weeks! With temperatures hovering in the high 90s we are all looking for a little relief. A beach day sounds perfect! It seems locals are willing to battle the LIE (Long Island Expressway) to sit in the inevitable traffic for a couple of hours to spend a day with the hot sand and rough waves crashing at their feet. 

Then came the news that put all of that on the things to complain about list. 

There have been over 12 sightings of sharks, including 3 great white sharks at our local beaches. A life guard was bitten by a shark 150 yards from shore. Another man was bitten in the leg as he swam in the water.   Beach goers are definitely on edge. The New York City Police Department has been doing flyovers, the Coast Guard Helicopter's have been seen on the hour flying low and slow over the water, and New York State Park Commision has been sending out drones to search for sharks. Turns out they didn’t have to look too hard. They posted video of a great white preying on a school of fish not too far out of the swimming area.  

New York State Govenor Kathy Hochul ordered state agencies to increase lifeguard staffing, patrols and aerial surveillance on beaches to spot sharks and prevent encounters. 

So kids, the bottom line is you’re going to have to find alternative ways to stay cool as the heat wave continues into week 2 

SERVPRO of White Plains reminds you that Shark Week begins soon, timing is everything!