Nathan’s 2023 Hot Dog Eating Contest canceled due to lightning

The hot dogs are being hung out to dry.

The much anticipated annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the men’s division was called off Tuesday afternoon due to lightning storms hanging over Brooklyn.

Hundreds had gathered at Coney Island in front of the iconic Nathan’s flagship restaurant to cheer for Joey Chestnut to claim his 16th victory at the event.

But following the women’s match this morning, where Miki Sudo secured her ninth win with 39 hot dogs, rain and lightning strikes put an end to the Fourth of July tradition.

“I’m very disappointed to tell you that after speaking to the NYPD, we have to dismiss the crowd and the competition is not going to happen. It’s too much of a lightning risk,” contest officials told spectators.

The crowd, however, was frustrated with the decision, booing at the organizers and yelling, “This is bull–.”

Tensions had risen at the Coney Island boardwalk when the contest was initially delayed due to weather, with organizers yelling at spectators to leave the area and stay away from the tents they had set up.

The crowd, seeking shelter from the rain, repeatedly argued with contest workers telling them to leave, with the two groups yelling at each other as the NYPD attempted to intervene.

As other spectators sought shelter by the nearby train station and even under staircases, one man running to escape the rain told The Post: “It’s like a water park for the Fourth of July!”

With Coney Island drenched and flood and lightning advisories still active until 7 p.m., it remains unclear when the contest will resume.