GALVESTON — Authorities issued a stern warning Monday for swimmers and surfers after a strong north wind combined with low tide exposed dangerous hurricane debris partially buried in the sand.

Peter Davis, chief of the Galveston Beach Patrol, said debris from former beach-front businesses that were destroyed by Hurricane Ike presents a dangerous situation.

The warning applies only to areas between 21st and 24th streets, Davis said. He said Monday observations of all other seawall beaches revealed no immediate hazards.

“We will remove (surfers) from the water if we see them out there,” Davis said. “It’s really dangerous. You’ve got — on the west side of what used to be the Balinese Room — posts sticking out below the normal tide level.”

Jennifer Reynolds / The Daily News

Crews working for the Texas General Land Office should start removing the debris by mid December, said Jim Suydam, land office spokesman.

The project will include removal of underwater debris, although officials have not decided how far out from the seawall the work will extend, Suydam said. It could be as far as 500 meters, or 1,650 feet, he said.

Crews working for the Galveston Park Board of Trustees will remove smaller items that wash up on the beach and cause a hazard to swimmers and beachgoers, said Lou Muller, park board director.

Monday’s low tide exposed a drainpipe near 61st Street that park board crews planned to remove this week, he said.

Davis said he would have signs prepared for the spring swimming season, just in case the debris has yet to be removed by then.

A swimming advisory remains in affect for beaches west of 103rd Street. Davis said the hurricane, which caused severe flooding and beach erosion when it made landfall Sept. 13, has exposed remnants of home foundations, piping and other material previously buried in the sand.