NORTH CAROLINA, USA — Watch out for this if you're spending your weekend on the beach.
The National Weather Service has declared a High Risk of Rip Currents in Wilmington over the weekend due to Hurricane Ernesto blowing through.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said a High-Risk Rip Current forecast means "Life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone."
As of 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18:
- 8 rip current rescues on Wrightsville Beach
- 2 rip current rescues on Carolina Beach
As of 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17:
- A 41-year-old man drowned in a rip current in Surf City
As of 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17:
- 23 rip current rescues on Wrightsville Beach
- 5 rip current rescues on Carolina Beach
- 1 rip current rescue on Kure Beach
Hurricane Ernesto will continue bringing high rip currents through early next week, so be alert!
Stay safe and remember these tips if you get caught in a rip current, according to the NOAA:
- Relax, rip currents don’t pull you under.
- Don’t swim against the current.
- You may be able to escape by swimming out of the current in a direction following the shoreline, or toward breaking waves, then at an angle toward the beach.
- You may be able to escape by floating or treading water if the current circulates back toward shore.
- If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself. If you need help, yell and wave for assistance.
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