Beaches across the tri-state area reopened Saturday following the passing of Hurricane Erin, which had earlier caused closures due to dangerous surf and high rip currents. However, the reopening came a day too late for former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was photographed being asked to leave East Hampton’s exclusive Georgica Beach on Friday. The beach had remained closed due to lingering storm-related hazards.

Blinken, 63, was seen relaxing with a friend on the sand when lifeguards approached and instructed them to leave. After a brief exchange, he gathered his belongings — including a beach towel, tote bag, and chair — and exited the beach as waves crashed nearby. Georgica Beach, known for surfing, had been one of several along the coast impacted by hazardous surf conditions.

Hurricane Erin had grown into a massive Category 5 storm in the Caribbean before weakening to a Category 1 by Friday. The storm, still powerful and unusually wide at over 600 miles across, remained offshore but unleashed high winds and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast. Nantucket experienced winds up to 45 mph, prompting ferry cancellations and beach closures.

The storm’s impact was strongly felt in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where 20-foot waves and storm surges flooded vulnerable areas. Tens of thousands were evacuated, and in New Jersey, over 50 people had to be rescued from flooding in Margate City on Thursday night. Coastal flood warnings stretched from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.

While conditions improved by the weekend, swimming restrictions remained at some beaches. Meteorologist Cody Braud warned that lingering effects of Erin would continue, with rip current risks persisting along the coastline despite calmer weather.

Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three new tropical systems in the Atlantic, raising concerns of future storms fueled by warm ocean waters.