A “significant size” shark was seen in Hempstead, LI, on Monday, causing local beaches to close, authorities said.
The city tweeted an early afternoon alert saying: “A shark of significant size was seen off the coast of Lido West Beach.
“The shark was spotted by a Hempstead city lifeguard on a surfboard. Due to the shark sighting, first responders have marked the strip of water according to New York State shark protocols.
“Hempstead Bay City agents have been dispatched to assist with the search.”
The “Shark Detection Alert” stated that the beaches at Civic, Lido and Lido West were closed as a precaution, as were Town Park Point Lookout and Town Park at Sands.
Long Beach was also closed to swimmers due to the sighting.
“The city of Hempstead has alerted us to a shark sighting in nearby waters,” the city of Long Beach tweeted shortly after 11 a.m.
“As a precaution, all Long Beach city beaches are closed for swimming until further notice.”
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