Hurricane

With Hurricane Irma approaching, Miami Beach closes the beach

An lifeguard looks out from a lifeguard stand on Miami Beach. Ocean Rescue officials have closed the beach in advance of Hurricane Irma.
An lifeguard looks out from a lifeguard stand on Miami Beach. Ocean Rescue officials have closed the beach in advance of Hurricane Irma. El Nuevo Herald file

The beach is officially closed.

As winds pickup and rip currents tug at Miami-Dade’s shoreline in the hours before South Florida is supposed to start feeling the effects of Hurricane Irma, Miami Beach announced Friday morning that the two red flags are flying at lifeguard stands — the signal for beachgoers that the water is too dangerous for swimming.

Ocean Rescue workers are notifying beachgoers that the beach is under an evacuation order.

Joey Flechas: 305-376-3602, @joeflech

This story was originally published September 8, 2017 at 11:49 AM with the headline "With Hurricane Irma approaching, Miami Beach closes the beach."

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