Hurricane Dorian damages Daytona Beach Pier

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Hurricane Dorian damaged the Daytona Beach Pier, prompting officials to close a portion of it.

"No access" signs decorate the Daytona Beach Pier after city leaders said rough surf from Category 2 Hurricane Dorian damaged the cross bracing and decking on the pier's east end, which is the fishing section. That part of the pier is closed until further notice.

"The area with Joe's Crab Shack was not damaged; the restaurant has reopened," the city tweeted. "The fishing section of the pier is closed until further notice."

People returned to the Volusia County Beaches after conditions improved from Wednesday however Beach Safety Patrol is flying the red flag because of the strong rip currents. There was a rescue in Ponce Inlet Thursday morning where even the lifeguard needed to be rescued.

"The lifeguard himself found himself in a little bit of trouble and started getting sucked out by the rip current. We got some back-up there, they went into assist him and we ended up getting everyone to shore, safely," said Deputy Chief Aaron Jenkins.

Deputy Chief Aaron Jenkins said rip currents are very dangerous and they average about 1,500 rescues a year. He said if a swimmer gets caught in a rip current, they should stay calm and swim parallel to shore.

Gunthar Krotsch is visiting from Germany and said he's being mindful of the powerful waves.

"It's actually very hard to swim in this water, so yeah I'd rather stay very close to the beach. I'm not going way far because it's too dangerous for me.

Lifeguards said if people are going to be in the water, they must exercise extreme caution. 

Central Florida was largely spared by Dorian, which ravaged the Bahamas and caused at least 20 deaths there.

Three Central Florida residents died while preparing for Dorian, according to officials.

Hurricane season runs through November, with the peak hitting Sept. 10.

Currently, the National Hurricane Center is keeping tabs on six past, present or future tropical systems.