by People who like to swim along the coast of North Carolina and Virginia should stay out of the water Thursday because rip currents and rough waves will get worse all day.
The Wakefield office of the National Weather Service says that Virginia Beach and Eastern Currituck County will have a Beach Hazards Statement in place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. Forecasters say that breaking waves of about 3 feet will happen because of a good wind pattern that makes rip currents more likely to be life-threatening.
People who go to the beach in the area are being told not to go into the ocean at all, because even experienced swimmers may have trouble in these conditions. Strong longshore currents and rough waves can quickly pull swimmers away from the shore.
Officials say to stay on the dry sand, pay attention to the signs and flags that are up, and ask lifeguards before going into the water. Not a lifeguard on duty? Don’t go outside.
This danger is part of a bigger swell pattern that affects a lot of the Mid-Atlantic coastline. If the wind changes, the same conditions may last into Friday.
