Memorial Day weekend at NC coast: Concerns after 13 rip current rescues last week, 2 active swim advisories for bacteria
OAK ISLAND, N.C. (WNCN) — With Memorial Day weekend a kickoff for the summer beach season, North Carolina coastal areas are watching for dangerous rip currents and two swimming spots are under scrutiny for high bacteria levels.
At least two coastal swim advisories are in effect, with high levels of bacteria recorded heading into the weekend, state officials said.
Last weekend, there were 13 rip current rescues in Carteret County at Emerald Isle — which was under a moderate rip current risk at the time, the National Weather Service reported.
Just last week, three North Carolina coastal swimming areas were under an advisory by the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program.
However, advisories in Dare County at the Outer Banks and in New Hanover County near Wilmington were lifted by Wednesday, state officials said.
But, on Thursday, a new swim advisory was issued for a sound-side site in Brunswick County in Southport, officials said.
Don't swim at these NC beaches, officials warn; man-of-war swarm OBX and NC island
The new advisory is for the public kayak launch in Cottage Creek at the end of W. West Street in Southport. Test results of water samples taken Tuesday and Wednesday indicate bacteria levels that exceed the state and federal action levels of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters.
Also, an earlier swimming advisory in Beaufort County is still in effect for public access to Pantego Creek at East Main and Tooley streets in Belhaven.
Test results of water samples indicate a running monthly average of 37 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water. This exceeds the state and federal standards of a running monthly average of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters.
The advisories are not beach closures. Swimming advisories are for waters within 200 feet of signs erected about each advisory. State recreational water quality officials sample 222 sites throughout the coastal region, most of them weekly, from April to October.
Rip currents are an important focus for authorities at the North Carolina coast, where dozens of rip current rescues took place several weekends last summer.
A high rip current risk was issued Wednesday for several beaches, including Oak Island in Brunswick County and Emerald Isle in Carteret County.
Last weekend, lifeguards rescued 13 Emerald Isle swimmers when there was a moderate risk for rip currents at that beach.
For Memorial Day weekend, rip currents are forecast as a moderate risk in most beach areas at the North Carolina coast.
Meanwhile, Oak Island officials said Saturday they are still dealing with Portuguese man-o-war washing up on the beach.
'We recommend you watch your step on the strand and stay out of water. Their tentacles are long and burn like (fire),' Oak Island officials said on Facebook.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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