Rough ocean conditions just north of Edgewater are creating hazards for anyone planning a beach trip this week.

Volusia County beach safety officials are warning residents to use extra caution around New Smyrna Beach after windy, rainy weather pushed up surf and created dangerous swimming conditions. For Edgewater residents who regularly head to the beach through New Smyrna Beach access points, the warning is especially relevant heading into the weekend.

According to WESH, conditions at 27th Avenue Beachfront Park were rough enough that visitors quickly turned around, while county officials temporarily closed the nearby beach access ramp. Heavy rain displaced sand at the bottom of the ramp, exposing concrete and creating a hazard for drivers. Volusia County spokesperson Clayton Jackson said the ramp itself was not damaged, and crews expect the repair to take only a few hours once tides and weather allow access.

Beach Safety Deputy Chief A.J. Miller said officials are advising people not to get in the ocean right now, even though swimming has not been formally prohibited. During stormy weather, lifeguard towers may be less visible, though patrol trucks are still monitoring the shoreline. That means beachgoers may not have the same visual cues they are used to when deciding where it is safest to enter the water.

The concern is not limited to the current rough surf. Officials say the larger waves are knocking holes into the sandbar, and as conditions calm, water can funnel through those gaps and carve channels that increase the risk of rip currents. That means the danger may continue even after skies clear and beach conditions look more inviting from shore.

For Edgewater families planning a quick drive to New Smyrna Beach, the practical advice is straightforward: stay in waist-deep water, swim with a buddy, and stay near staffed lifeguard areas. Officials also recommend checking the Volusia Beaches app to find guarded locations before heading out. Anyone driving onto the beach should also be alert for temporary access changes while the 27th Avenue ramp area is repaired.

With warmer weather drawing more people back to the coast, this is the kind of advisory that matters beyond city lines. New Smyrna Beach is one of the closest and most-used beach destinations for Edgewater residents, and changing surf conditions can turn dangerous quickly. Until the ocean settles down, residents should treat the warning seriously and plan beach outings with extra caution.