Lifeguards asking beachgoers to stay out of ocean even with Hermine gone

Lifeguards are asking beach goers to stay out of the ocean Friday, even though the threat of Hurricane Hermine has passed.

Max Ervanian, officer of prevention and training for Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue, says while it may look nice outside, the storm may have drastically changed beach conditions.

"You have a whole bunch of new topography that has come up from the rough conditions," Ervanian told WOKV. "We have new sandbars, new slews, which bring in new rip currents. We don't know how dangerous or how strong these rip currents are going to be that are being formed."

The push to stay out of the water comes as more and more families are heading to the beach because of school and work closures from the storm.

“We really suggest that you don’t go in the water, just enjoy the beach from the shore,” Ervanian said. “If you do choose to go in the water, swim in front of a lifeguard and always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone.”

Ervanian expects conditions to ease up by Saturday and through the Labor Day weekend.

Photos: Storm damage in Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia

Cox Media Group