Rip Currents
Dangerous ocean water movements affecting swimmers
Latest stories
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'Owe my life to you': NC girl saved from Myrtle Beach rip current describes her rescue, gives thanks
A 10-year-old girl from Greensboro rescued from a rip current at Myrtle Beach recently described the frightening ordeal and her gratitude for the man who saved her.
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Did Myrtle Beach hero save two people before losing his life?
WRAL is learning more about the circumstances surrounding the death of Georgia resident Derrick Moore. The 47-year-old was found dead Saturday morning in Myrtle Beach, after police say he saved a girl from a rip current, Friday night.
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Man dies saving young girl from rip current at Myrtle Beach
On Friday night, 45-year-old Derrick Moore from Georgia tragically lost his life while rescuing a young girl from a rip current at Myrtle Beach. The incident occurred after lifeguards had finished their shift.
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Family identifies man who jumped into Myrtle Beach rip current to save swimmer
A swimmer who rescued a young girl caught in a rip current has been found dead Saturday morning in Myrtle Beach
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North Topsail Beach officials warn visitors to avoid public beach access ahead of holiday weekend
Officials are warning holiday visitors to steer clear of Beach Access #3, at the north end of Topsail Island after multiple rescues.
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Enjoy the beach safely: Know how to escape a rip current
With a pleasant weekend forecast for beachgoers, awareness of rip current risks is vital. Lifeguard flags indicate safety levels; yellow signals a moderate risk, while red warns against swimming altogether. In rip currents, swimmers should either swim parallel to the shore or float and then swim back when able. Safety comes first, so share this knowledge with friends and family to ensure a fun, secure beach experience.
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Wrightsville Beach reports high number of rip current rescues for the start of the season
Wrightville Beach has seen about 50 rip current rescues in the past two weeks.
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‘A miracle’: UNCW women’s basketball coach survives near drowning at Wrightsville Beach
UNCW head women's basketball coach Nicole Woods will recover at home after nearly drowning while saving her 8-year-old nephew from a rip current at Wrightsville Beach, WECT reported.
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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.
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Rip current safety tips before summer hits
Rip currents off the North Carolina coast can be deadly. How to spot one and stay safe in the water.
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Three people saved off the coast of Corolla Wednesday
Three people were saved off the coast of Corolla Wednesday when their floats drifted over a mile off shore. Corolla Fire and Rescue Squad reported that strong winds from the southwest caused the floats to go so far from the beach.
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Off-duty deputy helps rescue Ocean Isle swimmers
Chatham County Deputy Herbie Stubbs was vacationing with his family at Ocean Isle Beach over Easter weekend when they jumped into action to help rescue two children from the water.
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North Carolina beaches issue rip current warning
The National Weather service issued rip current warnings for North Carolina beaches Wednesday. Rip current warnings will remain in effect through Friday.
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Wind gusts, rip currents threaten NC coast as Imelda pulls away
WRAL reporter Monica Casey reports live from Carolina Beach on Tuesday morning as Tropical Storm Imelda pulls away from the coast. The coast will deal with rip currents and high surf for the remainder of the week.
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NC beaches prepared for possible erosion, rip currents, coastal flooding from Imelda
Tropical Storm Imelda is expected to bring dangerous rip currents and surf to the East Coast to start the week. Heidi Kirk checks out conditions at Ocean Isle Beach.
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72-year-old surfer rescues swimmers from rip current
It was an ordinary day for a 72-year-old surfer who was just catching some waves. But it quickly turned into a rescue mission when he saved two swimmers caught in a rip current.
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Hurricane Erin aftermath: Erosion at Wrightsville Beach, dangerous rip current risk
Hurricane Erin is pulling away from the United States, leaving beach erosion and rough surf along the North Carolina coastline.
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Hurricane Erin nears: North Topsail Beach closes beach amid rip current, erosion threats
North Topsail Beach has closed several beach access points due to the escalating threats of rip currents and beach erosion as Hurricane Erin approaches. Town officials are closely monitoring the situation, urging residents and visitors to avoid the beaches.
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Do not get in the water: Waves rising, rip current risk at North Topsail Beach
It was a lovely day on the beach, but dangerous surf prompted warnings Wednesday along North Topsail Beach.
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Rip currents, beach erosion threaten NC coastal communities
Hurricane Erin, a massive Category 2 storm, is expected to stay offshore. However, the storm will bring serious impacts to North Carolina's coast, especially on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Rip currents, beach erosion threaten NC coastal communities
Coastal flooding and ocean overwash are likely to peak on Wednesday and Thursday in Dare County due to Hurricane Erin.
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Beaches closed on Hatteras Island as locals buckle up for Hurricane Erin
Mandatory evacuations are underway for parts of the Outer Banks, including Dare and Hyde counties and various islands, as Hurricane Erin draws closer.
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NC coast already hectic ahead of Erin with rip current rescues, explosion
There were two major emergency responses at the coast in Wilmington on Tuesday. Rescue teams are racing to save people from rip currents triggered by Hurricane Erin. Just miles down the road, a gas line explosion sent a fireball in the air.
