Although Imelda and Humberto won't come close to making landfall, the two will play a significant role on boating, surfing and coastal weather this week.
There are a number of alerts that are in effect up and down the coast line.
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Coastal flood alerts
This pertains to both the Inner and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Minor inundation of 1-2 feet is expected along the Outer Banks, who are under a coastal flood warning. The Inner Banks are under a coastal flood advisory.
Gale warning
A gale warning is in effect for much of the area just off our coast through 7 p.m. Wednesday. This is where we could see wind gusts of 35 mph to 45 mph.
High surf advisory
A high surf advisory is in effect through Thursday night. Within surf zones, breaking wave heights could reach five to eight feet.
Small craft advisory
The combination of rip currents, high surf, gusty wind and tidal flooding has led to a small craft advisory stretching from South Florida up to Maine.
Rip currents: How to avoid, escape
Each year, lifeguards along the Carolina coast rescue hundreds of people. The majority of those swimmers are those caught in rip currents. Never get in the ocean when rip currents are a threat.
Here are some safety tips if you do feel the pull while swimming.
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.