Former Biden Official Antony Blinken Ordered Off East Hampton Beach After Hurricane Warning
Beaches along the East Coast were slowly reopening this weekend following the chaos caused by Hurricane Erin—but for former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Blinken, who served under President Joe Biden, was photographed being told to leave East Hampton’s exclusive Georgica Beach on Friday after lifeguards spotted him and a friend relaxing on the sand despite an official closure, according to The New York Post.
The 63-year-old former diplomat was reportedly enjoying some downtime, barefoot and dressed in a blue long-sleeve shirt with black shorts, when lifeguards approached and informed him that the beach was off-limits due to dangerous surf conditions left behind by the powerful storm.
Why Was the Beach Closed?
Georgica Beach had been shut down days earlier after Hurricane Erin barreled past the Atlantic coast, generating treacherous waves and rip currents that made swimming—and even beach lounging—unsafe.
Despite the closure, Blinken and his companion set up a beach towel and folding chair to enjoy the sun. Photos captured the former Biden official packing up his belongings after a brief conversation with lifeguards and walking back toward the parking lot. Behind him, waves crashed violently against the shoreline, underscoring why officials had imposed the ban in the first place.
Hurricane Erin’s Impact on the East Coast
Earlier in the week, Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 strength in the Caribbean before weakening as it tracked north along the U.S. coastline. While the storm never made landfall on the mainland, its size and force created dangerous conditions from the Carolinas to New England.
By Friday morning, the storm had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of about 90 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The system remained offshore but stretched an incredible 600 miles wide, sending powerful surf and rip currents across much of the East Coast.
New York officials warned residents to stay off beaches and out of the water, while Massachusetts authorities canceled ferry service and closed several popular beaches. In New Jersey, tidal flooding swamped streets in Margate City, prompting emergency rescues of more than 50 people from cars and businesses.
East Hampton’s Warning Ignored
Georgica Beach, located in East Hampton’s exclusive Apaquogue neighborhood, is a favorite destination for high-profile figures and avid surfers alike. But officials made it clear that the beach was unsafe until conditions improved.
“Even though Hurricane Erin has left our region, because it was such an extremely large storm, it has left a lot of the Atlantic still stirred up,” Fox Weather meteorologist Cody Braud said. “There are still a lot of hidden effects and the biggest thing is the high rip current risk that is still present up and down the East Coast.”
Most beaches reopened Saturday, though swimming restrictions remain in place in several locations as the Atlantic continues to churn.
Social Media Reactions
While no laws were broken, Blinken’s decision to ignore posted warnings sparked criticism online. Many questioned why a former top U.S. official would risk his safety—or set a poor example—by heading to a closed beach. Others brushed it off as a minor lapse in judgment, noting that no harm was done.
Regardless, the timing couldn’t have been more awkward for the former Biden administration figure, whose exit from the beach was captured in widely circulated photographs.
What’s Next for the Hurricane Season?
Meteorologists warn that the danger is far from over. With weeks of warm water remaining in the Atlantic, forecasters are monitoring three additional tropical disturbances that could strengthen into major storms. So-called Cape Verde hurricanes, which form off the coast of Africa and track west across the Atlantic, are among the most dangerous for North America.
For now, officials are urging beachgoers to remain cautious even as sunny weather returns. Strong rip currents can persist for days after a storm passes, making swimming and surfing hazardous even in seemingly calm conditions.
As for Antony Blinken, his ill-timed beach trip serves as a reminder that nature doesn’t play favorites—even for former Secretaries of State.
