Latest news with #WrightsvilleBeachOceanRescue
Fox News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- Fox News
Hurricane Erin prompts beach closures and emergency declarations across multiple states
Coastal towns across parts of the United States are bracing for the wrath of Hurricane Erin, with officials closing beaches and warning of rip currents. Hurricane Erin has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph, with strengthening expected through Thursday night, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to the North Carolina-Virginia border, as FOX Weather reported. Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, has already conducted multiple water rescues on Monday and Tuesday due to rip currents. "These swells are producing powerful rip currents that can create extremely hazardous swimming conditions," Sam Proffitt, director of Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue, said to FOX Weather. Forecasters are warning of high winds and life-threatening rip currents into Friday. Eric Adams, New York City's mayor, shared a stark warning to beachgoers, noting that public beaches are closed on Wednesday and Thursday. "Rip currents can sweep even strong swimmers out to sea quickly," Adams said on X. A tropical storm warning has been placed in effect from Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, to the North Carolina-Virginia border. Tropical storm watches, meanwhile, have been placed in Virginia and North Carolina, and in Bermuda. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein wrote on X, "Hurricane Erin is expected to impact North Carolina." Stein declared a state of emergency "to assist with the response and to mobilize resources." Seven individuals were recently caught in a rip current at a beach in Seaside Heights, New Jersey — leaving one dead. The situation prompted Mayor Anthony Vaz to close swimming in the oceans after hours when lifeguards are off the clock. He told Fox News Digital those who don't comply could face "arrest." As of Wednesday morning, there were 61 current deaths from rip currents so far this year, according to the National Weather Service. Tom Gill, United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) vice president, told Fox News Digital that it's important for visitors to "only swim when lifeguards are on duty." "One reason beaches set swimming hours is to provide specific times when swimmers will be protected by lifeguards on duty," said Gill. "The USLA has determined the chance of a fatal drowning on a guarded beach is 1 in 18 million," he said. Chris Brewster of the USLA told Fox News Digital recently that most people are not aware of rip currents while they're in the water. "They notice that they're further away from the beach than they thought they were, then typically they try to swim back toward the shore and realize they're making no progress," said Brewster. This then "causes panic and that leads them to expend a lot of energy," he said. That's what "results in the drowning ultimately." "The big picture is that once you realize this is going on, don't fight the current, because you won't win," said Brewster. "Relax, float and then try to swim out of the rip."
NBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- NBC News
Hurricane Erin expected to grow as it moves across Atlantic
Hurricane Erin is expected to grow as it moves over the Atlantic through the week, causing dangerous rip currents, heavy rain, and strong winds along the East Coast. The storm dropped down to a Category 2 on Tuesday morning, but it still packs a powerful punch. Hurricane-force winds are forecast to extend outward up to 80 miles from the center, the National Hurricane Center said in an 8 a.m. Tuesday advisory. Tropical-storm force winds are expected to extend outward up to 205 miles. Dangerous rip currents are expected along East Coast beaches. In Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, a no-swimming advisory is in effect until Friday due to strong rip currents and large swells, officials said. Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue had about 70 rip current rescues on Monday, NBC affiliate WECT of Wilmington reported. "These swells are producing powerful rip currents that can create extremely hazardous swimming conditions," Ocean Rescue Director Sam Proffitt said in a statement. "The safety of our beachgoers is always our top priority, and we urge everyone to follow this advisory." Other coastal towns, including Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Wildwood, New Jersey, issued similar advisories. Heavy rainfall is also forecast for Wednesday night into Thursday on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where evacuations have already been ordered. As of Tuesday morning, the hurricane was about 720 miles south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. Fluctuations in strength are possible over the next few days, the hurricane center said. Erin is currently moving at 7 mph. The center of the hurricane is expected to pass to the east of the Bahamas on Tuesday and then move over the western Atlantic between the East Coast and Bermuda on Wednesday and Thursday.
