Map Shows 3 States Where People Warned of Dangerous Ocean Conditions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
More than 500,000 people were warned of dangerous ocean conditions in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina on Wednesday as rip currents and longshore currents posed risks to swimmers and beachgoers.
Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Morehead, North Carolina, by phone for comment.
Why It Matters
The beach hazards statements and rip current statements come as the NWS has reported 33 surf-related fatalities across the nation and in Puerto Rico so far this year. Many of the deaths occurred in Florida.
Rip currents are the number one weather-related killer in the coastal Carolinas, according to a report by WYFF 4. The hazards also are quite deadly across Florida and kill more people than hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornados combined each year.
A stock photo of a rip current flag in place at a beach.
A stock photo of a rip current flag in place at a beach.
sandf320/Getty
What To Know
On Wednesday morning, NWS offices warned of dangerous ocean conditions in the Tallahassee, Florida, area and in coastal North Carolina and South Carolina. More than 500,000 people live in the affected areas, according to a hazards map from the NWS.
In Florida, rip currents posed the main hazard. The Florida warnings urged people to swim near a lifeguard if they decide to venture into the ocean.
"Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the alert said.
Rip currents, which flow away from the shore, can quickly pull out swimmers. They typically form at breaks in sandbars and near structures like piers and jetties.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rip currents can travel at speeds of up to 8 feet per second, faster than an Olympic swimmer.
Longshore currents and rip currents made ocean conditions dangerous in North Carolina and South Carolina. The alert was in place for coastal Pender and New Hanover counties in North Carolina and coastal Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina.
What People Are Saying
NWS office in Morehead City, North Carolina, in a beach hazards statement: "Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."
A rip current survivor story shared by the NWS: "I think many people are unaware of rip currents and how to escape them. [I've] seen those signs many times but didn't think that I would need that information at some point. I was at Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on a beautiful relaxing beach day. Water looked fairly calm. Made my way out until I started to feel a little uncomfortable and turned around to come back and discovered I couldn't. I struggled to plant my feet on the sandy bottom but couldn't. The current was taking me out! The waves were pounding into me and water was entering my mouth. Wave after wave was wearing me down as I dog paddled. I calmed myself down and remembered the instructions. I swam horizontal to the shore and finally touched bottom. I thought I was going to die that day! No one on shore was aware of my situation. Although I still love the ocean and beach, that day changed me forever but a little bit of knowledge can save your life! It saved mine."
What Happens Next
The alerts are expected to expire after the risk passes Wednesday evening.
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Newsweek
3 hours ago
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Map Shows 3 States Where People Warned of Dangerous Ocean Conditions
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. More than 500,000 people were warned of dangerous ocean conditions in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina on Wednesday as rip currents and longshore currents posed risks to swimmers and beachgoers. Newsweek reached out to the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Morehead, North Carolina, by phone for comment. Why It Matters The beach hazards statements and rip current statements come as the NWS has reported 33 surf-related fatalities across the nation and in Puerto Rico so far this year. Many of the deaths occurred in Florida. Rip currents are the number one weather-related killer in the coastal Carolinas, according to a report by WYFF 4. The hazards also are quite deadly across Florida and kill more people than hurricanes, thunderstorms and tornados combined each year. A stock photo of a rip current flag in place at a beach. A stock photo of a rip current flag in place at a beach. sandf320/Getty What To Know On Wednesday morning, NWS offices warned of dangerous ocean conditions in the Tallahassee, Florida, area and in coastal North Carolina and South Carolina. More than 500,000 people live in the affected areas, according to a hazards map from the NWS. In Florida, rip currents posed the main hazard. The Florida warnings urged people to swim near a lifeguard if they decide to venture into the ocean. "Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water," the alert said. Rip currents, which flow away from the shore, can quickly pull out swimmers. They typically form at breaks in sandbars and near structures like piers and jetties. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rip currents can travel at speeds of up to 8 feet per second, faster than an Olympic swimmer. Longshore currents and rip currents made ocean conditions dangerous in North Carolina and South Carolina. The alert was in place for coastal Pender and New Hanover counties in North Carolina and coastal Horry and Georgetown counties in South Carolina. What People Are Saying NWS office in Morehead City, North Carolina, in a beach hazards statement: "Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help." A rip current survivor story shared by the NWS: "I think many people are unaware of rip currents and how to escape them. [I've] seen those signs many times but didn't think that I would need that information at some point. I was at Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on a beautiful relaxing beach day. Water looked fairly calm. Made my way out until I started to feel a little uncomfortable and turned around to come back and discovered I couldn't. I struggled to plant my feet on the sandy bottom but couldn't. The current was taking me out! The waves were pounding into me and water was entering my mouth. Wave after wave was wearing me down as I dog paddled. I calmed myself down and remembered the instructions. I swam horizontal to the shore and finally touched bottom. I thought I was going to die that day! No one on shore was aware of my situation. Although I still love the ocean and beach, that day changed me forever but a little bit of knowledge can save your life! It saved mine." What Happens Next The alerts are expected to expire after the risk passes Wednesday evening.
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