VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — When you think about hurricanes and the destruction they often bring, your mind may go to powerful winds, deadly storm surges, or flooding rainfall. But another impact is felt in places typically out of sight.
As hurricanes develop and strengthen, they typically generate massive wave action and swells. These waves can threaten maritime traffic, create dangerous rip currents in surf zones, and cause beach erosion.
Even though the roughest seas and largest waves from Hurricane Ernesto will be far offshore and closer to Bermuda, waves moving out from the system are already reaching the east coast of the United States.
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There is a high threat of rip currents for the southeast coastline. Here in Hampton Roads, the threat will increase over the weekend and continue to be elevated until early next week.
From Saturday morning through Sunday evening, breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet will result in rough surf conditions and a high risk of rip currents. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.
Surf heights greater than 4 feet typically result in dangerous breaking waves in the surf zone and potentially increased rip current risk. The most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple of hours on either side of low tide, which will occur around noon on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
With the heavier surf at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, swimmers must stay alert to potential rip currents, too. If you get caught in a rip current, don't panic and try to swim in against it. Instead, swim parallel to the coastline and you should come out of the current. If you are having problems getting out of it, try to float or just tread water.
Wave your arms and call for help if you need it.
Down in the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore issued a swimming warning for all its beaches starting on Friday and throughout the weekend. In a press release, the Seashore said it cautions visitors about dangerous ocean conditions whilst walking along the beaches at the north end of Rodanthe and getting into the ocean water.
The Seashore also urges travelers to monitor road conditions along N.C. Highway 12, at the north end of Ocracoke Island and between Hatteras and Frisco, especially during the hours of high tide.