If you plan to visit the beach in the next few days, be aware of rough surf, with breaking waves measuring 5 to 8 feet, and potential beach erosion. Dangerous rip currents are also expected.
According to Accuweather, a high rip current risk is in effect from late Friday night through Sunday evening.
Dangerous rip currents are expected, according to Accuweather.
What are rip currents?
Rip currents are channels of water that can pull swimmers away from shore and farther out into the ocean, according to AccuWeather.
Rip currents can vary in width and strength. The currents can be extremely narrow, between 10 and 20 feet wide, or more than 10 times that width, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). They can also pull people out to sea at speeds higher than 5 miles per hour, which is faster than Olympic swimmers, according to the article from AccuWeather.
If caught in a rip current, follow these steps, but please always check the beach for any signs of rip currents and swim where there is a lifeguard.
WHERE...In Delaware, Delaware Beaches. In New Jersey, Eastern Monmouth, Atlantic Coastal Cape May, Coastal Atlantic and Coastal Ocean.
WHEN...From late Friday night through Sunday evening.
IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. *
ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The high risk of rip currents may persist through early next week.
Rough surf can also be expected this weekend, with breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet and beach erosion possible.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Rip currents are very dangerous and many fatalities have been linked to them. More than 100 people a year are killed by rip currents, according to the United States Lifesaving Association.
Earlier this summer, a Pennsylvania couple died in front of their six children when they got caught up in a rip current vacationing in Florida. It was a very tragic story.
Please use extreme caution if going to the beach.
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