Over 165 rip current rescues at NC beaches over July 4th week

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (WNCN) — Lifeguards along the North Carolina coast were busy over the July 4th holiday week as over 165 people were rescued from rip currents in three days.

According to the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, in New Hanover County alone there were over 160 rip current rescues from Wednesday to Friday.

The highest number of rescues happened in Wrightsville Beach on Friday, when 60 were reported there by lifeguards. Further south in the same county on the same day, 13 were reported at Carolina Beach and six at Kure Beach. The total in New Hanover County that day was 79, according to NWS Wilmington.

On Independence Day, Carolina Beach had the highest number of rip current rescues with 35, while Wrightsville Beach reported 27. NWS Wilmington said the total number of rescues in New Hanover County on Thursday was 70.

Further north, NWS Newport/Morehead City said two rip current rescues were reported at North Topsail Beach in Pender County and one at Coquina Beach in the Outer Banks on July 4.

The day before the holiday, 17 rip current rescues were made at Carolina Beach, NWS Wilmington said.

Over the three days, a total of 87 rescues from rip currents were reported at Wrightsville Beach and 65 at Carolina Beach.

Dangerous rip currents remain along the North Carolina coast, impacting many of the state’s most popular beaches during one of the busiest weekends of the summer.

On Saturday, beach hazards statements have been issued along the coast until 8 p.m. According to NWS Newport/Morehead City, “dangerous rip currents” could affect beaches from Oregon Inlet to Surf City. NWS Wilmington has also issued a warning for coastal Pender and New Hanover counties in North Carolina and coastal Georgetown County in South Carolina for a “strong south to north longshore current” as well as a “moderate risk of rip currents.”

Beachgoers should check for flags before entering the water or check with lifeguards for potential ocean hazards. If caught in a rip current, swimmers should swim in a direction following the shoreline or float or tread water until out of the rip current. If escape from a rip current isn’t possible, swimmers should face the shore and call or wave for help.

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