The Parks Department has closed 13 miles of city beaches to swimming this weekend due to expected bad weather from Hurricane Bill.

The water at the beaches in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island are off-limits from Friday to Sunday, but beachgoers can still remain on the sand.

The Category 3 Hurricane will pass 200 to 300 miles east of New York City, but it is still expected to create large waves and riptides for the city and the entire eastern U.S. seaboard.

Waves have been as high as eight feet and flooding could be possible.

On Friday, parks officials warned people to stay out of the water.

"We're really asking people to show common sense here. The ocean is a powerful and unpredictable force of nature. We can't control it. We must respect it," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "And we can only do as much as we can to keep people safe."

Benepe said those who do go in the water could be arrested because they are not only putting themselves in danger but also the lives of those who might have to jump in to rescue them.

"They told me to get out, especially with the baby," said one beachgoer. "I was just soaking my feet, because it's so hot. They are taking no chances at all."

"When you come this early, this is strange. [The tide's] coming in, it's full," said another. "I don't have to worry about [not swimming], I'm an ankle swimmer."

The National Weather Service said seas will get increasingly dangerous this weekend.

So far this year, six people have drowned in the Rockaways in Queens while swimming in restricted areas.

Those who want to cool off in water can go to the city's 63 pools and 650 spray showers.

Orchard Beach in the Bronx will also remain open until the weather deteriorates. For more information on the beach closings, call 311.

Cooling centers will also be open throughout the five boroughs from 1 to 8 p.m. To find the nearest cooling center, visit nyc.gov/oem or call 311.