A trip to the beach may look inviting today, but the ocean will carry a hidden danger along parts of the Eastern North Carolina coast.
The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City has extended a high risk of dangerous rip currents today along beaches from Cape Hatteras to Surf City. The alert includes Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, coastal Carteret County and coastal Onslow County.
Rip currents can quickly pull swimmers away from shore and into deeper water, even those who are experienced in the ocean. The strongest rip currents are most likely to occur a couple of hours before and after low tide, which is expected around 11:30 a.m.
Beachgoers are urged to use extra caution, especially if visiting beaches without lifeguards. The safest option is to stay out of the water when dangerous rip currents are present. If you do enter the ocean, swim near a lifeguard, avoid going alone and never turn your back on rough surf.
If caught in a rip current, do not try to swim directly back to shore against the current. Stay calm, float or tread water, then swim in a direction following the shoreline until you are out of the current. If you cannot escape, face the shore and call or wave for help…