They showed up early to catch waves they say are rare in these waters: surfers flocking to Rockaway Beach despite a cautionary advisory from the National Weather Service. They say the thrill is worth any risk posed by Hurricane Florence. 

"It’s once in a lifetime that you have good waves in New York, usually they’re pretty small and for once they’re a pretty decent size.”

The hurricane was wrecking havoc on the Carolinas, with lashing winds, rain and flooding, but the storm's fury could still be felt more than 600 miles away along the coast in Queens and Brooklyn.

The National Weather Service posted a high surf advisory warning of seven- to 10-foot waves into Friday evening and strong rip currents, but these surfers are taking it all in stride.

"It's awesome as long as the storm isn't hitting here. We have some fun," said surfer Ryan Flanders. "This is what we wait for every year."

September is considered one of the better surfing months in the Rockaways. The water is still relatively warm, and there's a greater chance of large storms out in the Atlantic. The city's Parks Department says these breakers are about double the size of the typical waves here.

"I honestly don't have high expectations for myself today, so as soon as we came over this edge and saw the waves, it's pretty sobering, but it's crazy to think what people are going through where it’s actually hitting," said surfer Rachel Klein.

On the downside, lifeguards are no longer watching over the beaches here after the swimming season ended earlier this month.

Chris Martin says he's not focusing on the danger but knows the fun he's having is coming at cost for those in the hurricane's path. 

"It's challenging to be a surfer who's dependent on ocean swells for a good time, but fortunately, those winds bring good waves like this, but it sucks for the people down there," Martin said.

Almost all of the surfers we spoke to say they've been keeping a close watch on Florence and the storm's impact on the Carolinas. If the surf's still up, they plan to be back here during the weekend.