Beware rip current risk: Life guards 'very busy' along North Carolina's beaches

Those who braved the chance for storms to spend Memorial Day weekend at the beach saw another deterrent -- an elevated risk for rip currrents.

2026-05-25

"The life guards are very busy," a spokesperson from the National Weather Service office in Wilmington said Monday afternoon. 

Four people had to be rescued from the surf at Wrightsville Beach on Monday. Two were rescued at Surfside Beach. 

The National Weather Service reported another 50 rip current rescues over the weekend at Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.

Remember to stay out of the water if you see a red flag.

There is currently a high (red) rip current risk for beaches from Wrightsville north, including Atlantic Beach and the Outer Banks. There is a moderate risk at more southern beaches, like Ocean Isle and Myrtle Beach, outlined in yellow.

Rip currents off the North Carolina coast can be deadly. Often, the person who goes out to rescue a swimmer in trouble is the one who ends up losing their life, experts say.

Learn how to spot a rip current and how to remain calm if you're caught in one.

Rip current safety tips

When at the beach

• Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
• Never swim alone.
• Learn how to swim in the surf. It's not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
• Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
• Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
• Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along these structures.
• Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
• Pay especially close attention to children and elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.

If caught in a rip current

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Never fight against the current.
• Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
• Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle – away from the current – toward shore.
• If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
• If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help.

If you see someone in trouble

• Don't become a victim too. Get help from a lifeguard.
• If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911.
• Throw the rip current victim something that floats – a life jacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
• Yell instructions on how to escape.
• Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.