Long Island Swimmer Miracolously Found Safe After Vanishing in Sea as 18-Foot Waves Crashed Onto the Beach

A Long Island man who appeared to vanish into the ocean during a powerful nor'easter has been found safe, New York State Police confirmed. The report brought an end to an urgent search at Robert Moses State Park.

The unidentified man was seen in the water near Field 3, at the western end of Fire Island, at about 2:30pm on Saturday, 26 September. Witnesses then lost sight of him and he did not immediately return to shore, prompting state police and park police to launch a search.

Officials initially described him as a white male wearing dark-coloured shorts and appealed to the public for help identifying him.

The search was suspended after darkness fell on Saturday because of the hazardous conditions. Police later announced on Sunday morning that they had located the previously unidentified man. He contacted authorities after seeing reports about the search and confirmed that he was safe.

The incident occurred as the nor'easter brought dangerous surf, powerful winds and coastal flooding to parts of the US East Coast.

Storm Brought Life-Threatening Conditions

The National Weather Service had issued a high surf advisory and a high risk of rip currents for the beaches around Robert Moses State Park. Its marine forecast warned of seas reaching 14 to 19 feet (4.3 to 5.8 m) with waves occasionally reaching 24 feet (7.3 m) while northeast winds were forecast at 35 to 45 knots (65 to 83 km/h) with gusts of up to 60 knots (111 km/h)

The NWS also warned that people should stay out of the surf when rip-current risks are high. Governor Kathy Hochul had similarly urged New Yorkers to avoid swimming, surfing and boating during the storm.

'Extremely dangerous rip currents and high surf make entering the ocean life-threatening,' the governor's warning stated.

New York declared a state of emergency covering New York City and several surrounding counties, including Nassau and Suffolk. Officials warned that strong winds, coastal flooding and dangerous sea conditions would continue through the weekend.

The storm also caused widespread disruption, with strong winds bringing down trees and power lines and leaving thousands without electricity across the region.

Nor'Easter Claims One Life in Brooklyn

While the Long Island search ended with the swimmer being found alive, the storm had already claimed at least one life in New York City.

Leighton Brown, a 56-year-old New York City Housing Authority employee, died after being struck by a falling tree at the Cypress Hills Houses in East New York at about 3:30pm on Saturday. Police said he suffered severe trauma and was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed Brown's death in a post on X.

'My thoughts are with his entire family as they deal with this unimaginable loss. May he rest in peace, and may his service to our city never be forgotten,' Mamdani wrote.

The New York City Housing Authority also expressed its condolences to Brown's family and colleagues.

The swimmer's safe return means the search at Robert Moses State Park ended without another reported casualty. However, authorities continued to warn residents and visitors to stay away from the water as the nor'easter continued to produce dangerous coastal conditions.