Memorial Day turned treacherous along much of North Carolina’s coastline, with officials warning that a high risk for rip currents would make the surf flat-out unsafe for swimmers. Lifeguards spent the holiday weekend yanking people out of churning water as choppy waves and strong longshore currents tugged swimmers away from shore.
On Saturday alone, lifeguards at Carolina Beach and Wrightsville Beach reported a combined 33 rip current rescues, with at least 15 more on Sunday, according to Spectrum News. Countywide numbers from WECT broke the tally down further, with eight rescues at Wrightsville Beach, 16 at Carolina Beach and four at Kure Beach, and noted that lifeguard stands will be staffed daily through Labor Day.
What forecasters are warning
The National Weather Service issued Beach Hazards and Rip Current statements for much of the North Carolina coast, listing the rip current threat as "High" for Monday and urging people to stay out of the surf. The surf zone forecast from NWS Newport/Morehead City called for 2 to 4 foot waves with steady south winds, conditions that tend to carve out dangerous offshore channels.
Rip currents are a leading killer
"Rip currents are the number one weather related killer in the coastal Carolinas," the National Weather Service notes on its Rip Current Awareness page, estimating that the region has lost just under 200 people to rip currents since 2000. The agency and local lifeguards warn that calm, sunny weather can easily hide hazardous surf, making the water look a lot friendlier than it actually is.
How to stay safe
Lifeguards urge beachgoers to stay out of the ocean when a High risk is posted and to know what to do if they get caught in a rip. Swimmers who are pulled away from shore should move parallel to the beach until they escape the current, then angle back toward land, according to Spectrum News. If you cannot break free, experts say the safer move is to float or tread water and signal for help rather than burning out trying to swim straight back in.
Lifeguards stepping up patrols
Local beach crews and town officials said they boosted staffing ahead of the holiday weekend to handle the combination of bigger crowds and rougher surf. WECT reported that lifeguard stands in New Hanover County will be staffed every day through Labor Day. Even with added personnel, officials caution that a busy holiday can strain rescue teams when rip currents are firing.
Before you go
Before heading to the beach, officials recommend checking local forecasts and the national rip current outlook, which highlights where the danger is highest, and following posted flags and lifeguard instructions. For official guidance and up-to-date watches, see the National Hurricane Center rip current map and your local National Weather Service office.
