Jose stirred up waves along the South Shore Tuesday, even as it hovered far off in the Atlantic Ocean.

Suffolk County remained under a tropical storm watch into the night, but earlier in the day Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited Dix Hills to outline preparations ahead of the storm.

"Our MO has been to prepare for the worst and hope for the best," the governor said. "We have deployed equipment from all across the state."

At Robert Moses State Park, massive waves crashed against the beach, attracting a crowd of spectators and eroding the shoreline.

"It's amazing to see the power of the water, what nature really can do, how incredible it is," said Babylon resident Tara McGuinness.

"I've never seen waves this big in person," said Matthew Mone, of Lindenhurst.

County officials closed Suffolk's outer beaches due to the storm. Those include beaches at Smith Point, Cupsogue, Shinnecock East and Montauk. 

The Fire Island Ferry also stopped running at 4 p.m.

Among its final passengers were Dale Garcia and Norma Mercado, who said they rushed back to get supplies and food in case they lost power.

The state Office of Emergency Management deployed 100 members of the New York National Guard, according to its director, Kevin Wisely.

The National Weather Service downgraded Jose to a tropical storm with top winds speeds of about 70 mph late Tuesday night.

TRACKING JOSE: Tropical Tracker | Weather Center | Local Radar | Watch News 12