Beach Hazard Statement

Locations Affected

Cape Lookout, NC ∙ Sneads Ferry, NC ∙ Piney Island, NC ∙ Emerald Isle, NC ∙ Cape Hatteras - Billy Mitchell Field, NC ∙ Beaufort Michael J Smith Field, NC ∙ Rodanthe, NC ∙ Davis, NC ∙ Cedar Point, NC ∙ Portsmouth Island, NC

Full Alert Message

Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC 814 PM EDT Wed Jun 17 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING SOUTH OF CAPE HATTERAS... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and strong longshore currents in the surf zone. * WHERE...The beaches from Cape Hatteras to Surf City. * WHEN...From 8 AM EDT Thursday through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Strong longshore currents will create dangerous swimming conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple hours either side of low tide, which will occur around 4:00 PM Thursday. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. Strong longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties and other hazardous areas. In many cases, the longshore current is strong enough to prevent swimmers from being able to keep their feet on the bottom making it difficult to return to shore.

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