RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — With more than 30 rip current rescues at the North Carolina coast last weekend, Memorial Day weekend started Saturday with nearly three dozen rescues at beaches near Wilmington, officials said.
On Sunday, a day after 25 rescues at Carolina Beach and 8 at Wrightsville Beach, a coastal hazard for high rip-current risk was issued by the National Weather Service office in Wilmington.
The rip current hazard on Sunday was issued for nearly all the North Carolina coast — starting at Duck near Virginia and extending through the Outer Banks down to Wilmington, which includes Carteret, Pender, and New Hanover counties.
RELATED: 32 rip current rescues at NC coast ahead of Memorial Day; 4 boaters saved off island
“High rip current risk in effect until 8 p.m. this evening,” the weather service said. “Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”
In just one county, there are now 65 rip current rescues in a week, following 32 rescues at New Hanover County beaches last weekend…