High risk of rip currents along northern beaches, moderate risk along southern beaches

Published 9:23 am Saturday, July 27, 2019

: NOAA image

There is a high risk for rip currents north of Cape Hatteras Saturday, July 27. This includes Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon and Buxton. Ocean swimming is not recommended and it is advised to stay out of the water.

South of Cape Hatteras, there is a moderate risk for rip currents. This includes Frisco, Hatteras Village and Ocracoke. Only experienced ocean swimmers who know how to escape a rip current should enter the water. Never swim alone and always take a floatation device with you.

The strongest rip currents typically occur in the hours before and after low tide, which will occur around 9:30 a.m. on July 27. If help is needed, call 911.

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If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Don’t fight the current. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim back to shore. 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.