Rip Currents, Strong Longshore Currents Threaten NC Coast Saturday
Dangerous longshore and rip currents are expected to threaten swimmers along two North Carolina coastal counties through Saturday evening, the NWS warns.
WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA — The National Weather Service office in Wilmington has issued a Beach Hazards Statement for coastal areas of Pender and New Hanover counties, warning of dangerous water conditions expected to peak Saturday afternoon.
The statement, issued at 2:25 a.m. EDT on June 27, 2026, remains in effect until 8:00 p.m. EDT the same day. Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers are urged to exercise extreme caution near the water during that window.
Strong Longshore Current and Rip Current Risk
The primary hazard is a strong south-to-north longshore current running along the shoreline of both coastal counties. The NWS also listed a moderate risk of rip currents for the affected areas.
According to the NWS Wilmington office, longshore currents can push swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other dangerous areas along the coast. The currents are powerful enough to knock swimmers off their feet, making it difficult or impossible to return to shore without assistance.
Which Areas Are Affected
The Beach Hazards Statement covers Coastal Pender County and Coastal New Hanover County. These areas include popular beach destinations along North Carolina’s southeastern shoreline.
The most dangerous conditions are expected mainly during the afternoon hours of June 27, according to the National Weather Service.
What Swimmers Should Know
Rip currents are fast-moving channels of water that flow away from shore and are among the leading causes of surf-related drownings in the United States. When combined with a strong longshore current, the hazard to swimmers increases significantly.
The National Weather Service recommends that swimmers check current beach conditions before entering the water, heed any warnings posted by local lifeguards, and avoid swimming near piers or jetties when currents are elevated. Anyone caught in a rip current is advised not to swim directly against it, but instead to swim parallel to shore until out of the current’s pull, then return to the beach at an angle.
