Swimming permitted on beaches today

City had prohibited beachgoers from entering the water due to strong rip currents

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The city said swimming was allowed along its beaches on Wednesday, a day after it prohibited beachgoers from entering the water on Tuesday due to strong rip currents generated by Hurricane Gaston.

Though forecasters said that the storm would not impact Long Island, the National Weather Service had issued a high rip current warning through Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the city said that Lifeguard Chief Paul Gillespie determined that it was OK to head back into the water.

"Lifeguard Chief Paul Gillespie has assessed the surf conditions, and he has declared that the ocean is safe for swimmers this morning," the city said in a statement. "As always, if you are entering the water, please do so near a lifeguard."

On Monday, two men were pulled from the water at Edwards Boulevard after they went for a swim after hours and were caught in the current. One of the men was pronounced dead at the Long Beach emergency room.

The incident occurred shortly after 6 p.m., when lifeguards are no longer on duty and swimming is prohibited.