KILL DEVIL HILLS, N.C. — Anyone thinking about a Halloween swim on the Outer Banks should stay out of the water in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., and up and down the beaches. The National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City kept a beach hazards statement in effect from 8 a.m. Saturday through the evening for the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island.
The concern is dangerous rip currents along the beaches north of Cape Hatteras. Forecasters said the strongest pulls are most likely in the hours around low tide, which came at about 6 a.m. Saturday, and they warned the currents can carry even strong swimmers away from the sand into deep water.
Swimmers who get caught are told to stay calm, move parallel to the shoreline rather than fighting straight back, and float or tread water if they tire. If escape is not possible, turn toward the beach and wave or shout for help. No other hazardous weather is expected for the Northern Outer Banks from Sunday through Friday.
The warning closes out a soggy week along the coast. King tides, the unusually high tides that come when the moon swings closest to Earth, pushed water onto low roads on the Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast. Pea Island, one of the narrowest stretches of the barrier islands and home to a fragile piece of N.C. 12, was among the spots where water rose most.
The tides peaked Monday through Thursday and should keep dropping over the weekend, according to the weather service. Another round of king tides is expected from Nov. 23 to 27.
For now, the message from forecasters is simple for Saturday visitors to Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and the Hatteras Island villages: enjoy the beach from the sand, keep children close to shore, and check with lifeguard and town beach updates before heading out. The hazard statement runs through Saturday evening and is not expected to be renewed for the days after.
Filed under: Outer Banks NC Weather News
