WILMINGTON – The National Weather Service offices that serve the coastal Carolinas (NWS Charleston SC, NWS Wilmington NC, NWS Newport/Morehead City, and NWS Wakefield) are joining to host the first ever Carolinas Rip Current Awareness Week from April 27 through May 3, 2025. Rip currents are the deadliest and most common hazard people face at the beaches of North and South Carolina, as well as along most of the coastlines of the world. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) estimates rip currents are responsible for about 100 drownings each year in the United States and over 80% of lifeguard rescues. Between 2000 and 2024, there were 192 rip current drownings reported in North and South Carolina. This number far exceeds any other weather-related fatalities during that time frame, making rip currents the #1 weather related killer in the coastal Carolinas.
With millions of people visiting the beaches of North and South Carolina each year, it is very important rip current awareness and education continues to be promoted to help keep the public safe. This is especially true for inland communities, where the majority of rip current fatalities are from – if someone vacations at the beach, they need to be aware of the danger of rip currents.
Throughout the Carolinas Rip Current Awareness Week, local National Weather Service offices will be sharing various beach safety tips, rip current facts, and resources through social media platforms, local media, and beach partners. For more information on rip currents, visit the Carolinas Rip Current Awareness webpage at www.weather.gov/ilm/ripcurrents.
