News Summary
The National Weather Service has issued a beach hazards statement for rip currents affecting Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island. Beachgoers are advised to exercise caution as these rip currents can be life-threatening, with fatalities occurring in recent years. Lifeguards emphasize the importance of swimming in monitored areas and following safety guidelines. The current warning is part of the ongoing Rip Current Awareness Week in North Carolina, highlighting the unpredictable nature of these currents and the need for public awareness.
Nags Head, North Carolina – The National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City has issued an updated beach hazards statement warning of life-threatening rip currents affecting the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island. The statement was released early Wednesday at 3:17 a.m. and is valid from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today. Beachgoers are urged to exercise caution as rip currents can pull strong swimmers away from the shore into deeper waters.
The NWS has highlighted the hazardous nature of rip currents, which are defined as narrow, fast-flowing channels of water that can suddenly sweep swimmers away from the beach. The current can sometimes exceed the speed of Olympic swimmers, making it exceedingly difficult to swim against. If caught in a rip current, individuals are advised to remain calm and swim parallel to the shore. Those who become exhausted should float or tread water until they are no longer being pulled away. If they are unable to escape, they should face the shore and signal for help.
The beach hazards statement remains in effect until 8 p.m. and comes as North Carolina observes Rip Current Awareness Week for the first time this year. In the last two decades, an average of eight annual fatalities have been attributed to rip currents in the state. Between 2014 and 2024, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded 75 fatalities at North Carolina beaches due to rip currents or other related hazards. Notably, 27% of the fatalities within this period involved well-meaning individuals attempting to rescue others.
Swimming is safest when done at beaches monitored by lifeguards, and the chance of drowning at beaches protected by lifeguards certified by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is calculated to be 1 in 18 million. Lifeguards strongly recommend bringing flotation devices when attempting to rescue someone from a rip current without professional help. The safest way to survive a rip current is to allow the current to carry swimmers out and then swim at an angle to the shore or parallel to the shoreline.
Beachgoers are advised to check rip current forecasts before entering the water and remain aware of flag signals at swimming locations. Red flags are posted to indicate dangerous swimming conditions and generally signify that swimming is not allowed. In Virginia Beach, authorities have noted a relatively calm summer for rip currents so far in 2024, although weather changes can alter conditions rapidly. Lifeguards in Virginia Beach report one water rescue from a rip current near 24th Street, and approximately 25% of water rescues in the area are associated with rip current risks. Throughout the weekend, single red flags will be displayed at lifeguard stations in Virginia Beach, while the Outer Banks will also be under red flags from Duck to Ocracoke Island.
Public safety officials emphasize the importance of never swimming alone and discourage swimming in water that exceeds an individual’s capabilities. Rip currents are unpredictable, making awareness and preparedness crucial for beachgoers. Lifeguards continue to monitor conditions closely to ensure the safety of all visitors on the water.
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Observer: Rip Currents Warning
- Google Search: Rip Currents
- Spectrum Local News: Rip Current Fatalities
- Wikipedia: Rip Current
- Wavy: Dangerous Rip Currents in Outer Banks
- Google Scholar: Rip Current Effects
- 13 News Now: Teen Drowns in Rip Current
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ocean Current
- Charlotte Observer: Rip Current Awareness Week
- Google News: Rip Currents
