VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — According to the National Weather Service, Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks are forecasted for dangerous rip currents through Monday evening.
Virginia Beach Ocean Rescue has started flying red flags at the oceanfront, indicating that the water is dangerous.
Virginia Beach, Eastern Currituck County, and beaches north of Cape Hatteras are under a beach hazard statement warning of rip currents until Monday at 8 p.m.
Northeast winds are blowing and those winds are causing waves to crash onto each other and looking at some of the outflow as the waves crash and come back out there is a high risk of rip currents.
The U.S. National Weather Service defines rip currents as currents of water flowing away from the shore. Certain conditions can cause these currents to move faster. As of Aug. 31, NWS data shows that 76 people have died in surf zones so far this year. The National Weather Service and Coast Guard have some tips for avoiding and surviving rip currents.
Spotting a rip current
The Coast Guard says you can find most rip currents by looking for signs of a dark gap that looks like a path through the surf. The water will look darker in the rip current.
If you have polarized sunglasses, they may come in handy.
What to do if you get caught
The NWS recommends staying calm when you get caught in a rip current.
Don't try to swim against the current nor swim to shore. Swim along the shoreline until you can escape the current. When you're free, swim at an angle away from the current toward the shore.
If you need help, face the shore and yell or wave.
Other tips
Check the weather before you go to the beach. 13News Now has the latest forecasts and an interactive radar map on our website and inside our app.
The NWS recommends swimming with a friend. If you have a problem while swimming, the other person can help, and vice versa.