Stormy weather ruins holiday weekend along the city's coastline

Stormy weather has disrupted holiday plans along the city’s coastline this weekend. Heavy rain and rough seas forced cancellations, including live music at Connolly’s Bar, while officials warned of dangerous conditions in the water. Despite the downpours, some residents still ventured out for a taste of summer fun. The National Weather Service issued multiple alerts ahead of the holiday. A rip current warning covered coastal areas and Nassau County until Sunday evening. On top of that, a high surf advisory was in place from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, affecting Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn. Waves of 6 to 10 feet were expected to create hazardous conditions.

Beaches remained under close watch, with 370 lifeguards on duty—90 more than in 2025. The number is set to rise further in July as additional guards complete their training. Lifeguards will patrol daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until September 13. At Rockaway Beach, a few determined surfers braved the choppy waters despite the rain. Meanwhile, Connolly’s Bar had to scrap its planned live band for the opening weekend. Yet, loyal customers still turned up, lining up in the wet weather for the bar’s famous pina coladas.

The holiday weekend saw mixed scenes along the coast: cancelled events, risky surfing, and undeterred revellers. With more lifeguards on standby and weather alerts in effect, authorities are urging caution for anyone near the water. The rough conditions are expected to ease as the weekend draws to a close.