Long Island Swimmer Vanishes in Rough Surf as Powerful Nor’easter Pounds the East Coast

Ocean waves crash at Robert Moses State Park as a swimmer was reported missing at the popular Long Island beach as a nor’easter struck the region on Sept. 26, 2026.Getty Images

A search is underway for a swimmer who disappeared off Long Island as a powerful nor’easter brought enormous waves, damaging winds and dangerous coastal conditions to the New York region.

The unidentified man was last seen in the ocean near Field 3 at Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island at approximately 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses saw him in the water before he disappeared from view and did not return to shore, according to New York State Police.

At the time, the coastline was being battered by exceptionally rough conditions, with waves averaging around 18 feet.

Search Launched After Swimmer Disappears

People walk along the coastline at Robert Moses State Park as a nor’easter hits Long Island on Sept. 25, 2026.

Authorities began searching the area after receiving reports of the missing swimmer.

Police described him as a white man wearing dark-colored shorts. His identity had not been established publicly, and investigators appealed for information from anyone who knew of a person who had been in the area and could no longer be located.

Crews continued searching until Saturday evening, when darkness forced officials to suspend the operation.

The search was expected to resume Sunday.

Massive Waves Batter Fire Island

Conditions around Robert Moses State Park were particularly hazardous as the storm intensified.

Warnings had already been issued for dangerous ocean conditions, while waves averaged approximately 18 feet. Sea conditions were estimated at 15 to 20 feet, with swells reportedly reaching as high as 25 feet at times.

Winds were also severe, averaging roughly 35 to 45 mph with gusts exceeding 60 mph.

The combination of high surf, powerful rip currents and strong winds prompted officials to repeatedly warn people against entering the water.

Storm and coastal flooding warnings covered Long Island and New York City, as well as portions of New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Storm Claims a Life in Brooklyn

The disappearance came during an increasingly destructive day across the region.

Roughly an hour after the swimmer was last seen, 56-year-old NYCHA employee Leighton Brown was struck by a falling tree at the Cypress Hills Houses in Brooklyn.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Euclid Avenue in East New York as powerful winds swept through the city.

Brown suffered extensive injuries and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead shortly after 5 p.m.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani later expressed condolences to Brown’s family and paid tribute to his service to the city.

State of Emergency Declared

With conditions deteriorating, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for counties in the lower part of the state.

Officials issued particularly strong warnings about approaching beaches or entering the ocean.

Dangerous rip currents and high surf were described as potentially life-threatening, with residents also warned to stay away from rock jetties and other coastal areas where sudden waves could sweep people into the water.

The worst conditions were expected to continue into Sunday morning as weather systems combined offshore and drove the nor’easter toward New Jersey and Long Island.

Thousands Lose Power

The storm also caused widespread disruption across Long Island.

Falling trees and branches damaged power infrastructure as wind gusts intensified. By around 4 a.m. Sunday, nearly 17,000 customers in Suffolk County were reportedly without electricity, along with approximately 2,000 customers in Nassau County.

Long Island remained under a High Wind Warning as authorities prepared for another period of dangerous weather.

Forecasters expected the storm’s full force to affect an area stretching from coastal southern New England into the northern Mid-Atlantic.

Search Expected to Resume

For the missing swimmer, however, attention remained focused on the waters surrounding Robert Moses State Park.

Officials had not released additional identifying information as of early Sunday, and the circumstances that led the man into the ocean remained unclear.

With darkness having forced crews to halt their efforts Saturday night, authorities were expected to return to the water Sunday and continue searching the turbulent coastline where the swimmer was last seen.