BERLIN, Md. — Major portions of Ocean City and Assateague Island are shutting down ahead of Hurricane Erin.

Effective immediately, Ocean City beaches are closed for swimming.

Assateague Island State Park has also suspended all in-water activities due to rip current conditions and the anticipation of extremely high surf.

Parking Lots at Chincoteague Beach are partially closed as well, with full closures possible in the near future.

The Oversand Vehicle Areas on the Maryland and Virginia sides of the park are closed as well due to potential flooding and beach erosion.

"This is a fluid situation, and it is impossible to predict when things will reopen," said Hugh Hawthorne, Superintendent Assateague Island National Seashore. "There is also the possibility of more closures in the next few

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