Old Orchard Beach lifeguards Brodie Berlinger, left, and Nate Underwood watch swimmers from the lifeguard stand Thursday. The yellow flag indicates medium hazard, with moderate surf and/or currents present. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer)

As Hurricane Erin lingers several hundred miles offshore, riptides and high surf have prompted coastal towns in southern Maine to post advisories, and some beaches are prohibiting swimming.

The weather service issued alerts for high rip current risk on Thursday and a high surf advisory from 6 a.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday.

The Old Orchard Beach Fire Department is asking residents and visitors to stay out of the water.

“Hurricane Erin, although not making landfall in Maine, is creating high surf, powerful rip currents, and dangerous wave action along our shoreline,” the fire department stated Thursday. “Conditions are expected to be life-threatening for swimmers, surfers and boaters.”

Old Orchard Beach braces for impacts from hurricane Erin Thursday. (Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer) Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland

There is no swimming allowed at any York beaches through Sunday, the York Police Department said in a social media post Thursday.

“Monitor the lifeguard stations for the coming days to know if it is safe to swim,” the department said.

Biddeford beaches will be flying black flags, the city stated Thursday, which means no swimming and no surfing due to dangerous conditions.

“Visitors are advised that lifeguard coverage will be limited at Pool Beach and Fortunes Rocks will not be staffed, and that entering the water will not be permitted for swimming or surfing,” the city stated.

The measures in Biddeford will remain in place through Saturday evening, pending changes in expected conditions, the city said.

Scarborough public safety departments advise to “stay out of the water if possible” and obey all posted warnings and lifeguard instructions.

“Public cooperation is essential to ensuring safety during this period of heightened ocean risk,” the public safety departments stated.

Three surfboards broke at Scarborough Beach State Park on Thursday due to the conditions, the beach said in a social media post, along with several pictures and videos of rip currents.