Rip Current Warning Issued for NC Coast From Hatteras to Surf City
Dangerous rip currents are expected to peak near midday Saturday along NC beaches stretching from Cape Hatteras to Surf City — here’s when the risk is highest.
MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA — The National Weather Service office in Newport/Morehead City issued a Beach Hazards Statement Friday evening warning of dangerous rip currents along North Carolina’s coast from Cape Hatteras to Surf City, with conditions expected to remain hazardous through Saturday evening.
The statement, issued at 8:28 PM EDT on June 26, remains in effect from 8 AM EDT Saturday through 8 PM EDT Saturday. Beachgoers along the affected stretch of coastline are urged to exercise extreme caution.
Rip Current Risk Peaks Around Midday
According to the National Weather Service, the most dangerous window for rip currents Saturday will be centered around low tide, which is forecast to occur at approximately 12:00 PM. Strong rip currents are most likely to develop within a couple of hours on either side of that low tide mark.
Officials warned that rip currents pose a serious threat to all swimmers, regardless of skill level. The NWS noted that rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper water.
Thunderstorm Also Tracked Near Kinston Friday Evening
Separately, the National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement Friday evening after Doppler radar detected a strong thunderstorm capable of producing a landspout near Phillips Crossroads, located approximately 17 miles southeast of Kinston.
The storm was moving northeast at 15 mph as of 8:13 PM EDT Friday, according to the NWS. Forecasters identified wind gusts up to 40 mph and the possibility of a landspout as the primary hazards associated with the storm.
The NWS warned that gusty winds from the storm could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured outdoor objects, with minor damage to outdoor items considered possible. Phillips Crossroads was identified as the primary location impacted by the storm.
Safety Guidance for Coastal Visitors
The Beach Hazards Statement covers a significant stretch of the North Carolina Outer Banks and southern coast, running from Cape Hatteras down to Surf City. Swimmers and beachgoers planning to visit those areas Saturday should be aware that conditions will be at their most hazardous near midday.
The National Weather Service advises anyone caught in a rip current to swim parallel to shore rather than directly against the current, and to call for help if needed. Beachgoers should swim near a lifeguard whenever possible during periods of elevated rip current risk.
