High rip current risk prompts safety warning for people at New Hanover County beaches

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — If you’re heading to a beach in the Cape Fear this weekend, officials urge you to check in advance to monitor for rip current conditions.

This week, dozens of water rescues have been at many area beaches.

Red flags have been flying at east-facing beaches such as Wrightsville, Carolina, and Kure Beaches, meaning there are strong rip currents at those beaches.

While 5 people had to be helped at Wrightsville Beach Friday, Ocean Rescue has made double-digit rescues each of the past 3 days.

Ocean Rescue Captain Sam Proffit said the safety of beachgoers is important, even if they don’t get to fully enjoy their vacation.

“Yeah, I mean I get it,” Proffit said. “You come here from out of town. It’s nice, its sunny, you want to get in the ocean, I totally understand that. But you also need to recognize that it’s extremely dangerous. We’ve had very significant rip currents pulling these past couple days, we’ve had some pretty decent sized swell coming in and so its just not the best time to get in the ocean.”

Katie Colwell is from Columbia, South Carolina and said while she will follow what flags are flying, people should be aware of what they can and can’t handle when in the water.

“I will typically stay out of the water,” Colwell said. “Depends, like Kure Beach yesterday was very, very strong and I knew I wouldn’t be able to go further out. Today, at Wrightsville, it’s been a little bit different and I felt comfortable going out a little bit further. But most of the time, I pay attention to the flags.”

In total, more than 80 people have been rescued at New Hanover County beaches since Tuesday.

If you are caught in a rip current, do not try to fight it. Swim across it parallel to the beach until you are out of the current.