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Dozens of beach rescues Monday amid Hurricane Erin's dangerous rip currents

PRE News & Ideas | By Annette Weston
Published August 19, 2025 at 6:26 AM EDT
Screen grab of drone footage taken by Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue of three people caught in a rip current and subsequently rescued by a lifeguard.
Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue
File: Screen grab of drone footage taken by Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue of three people caught in a rip current and subsequently rescued by a lifeguard back in April.

The rip current risk is high along the North Carolina coast this week because of Hurricane Erin, and in southeastern North Carolina there have already been about 80 rip current rescues.

Officials with the National Weather Service said Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue performed 50 rip current rescues. The Surf City Fire Department also reported 15 rip current rescues.

Officials said swimmers caught in a rip current should yell for help, remain calm, and stay afloat without exhausting yourself… swim parallel to shore and back towards the beach when possible.
Annette Weston
Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.
See stories by Annette Weston