Swells from Fiona makes ocean unsafe for swimming

By on September 22, 2022

The National Weather Service at Newport/Morehead City issued this high rip warning early in the morning of Sept. 22.

HIGH rip current risk at all area beaches today, including Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Pea Island, Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras Village and Ocracoke. Swells from distant Hurricane Fiona will bring powerful rip currents from Duck to Ocracoke. Ocean conditions will be unsafe for swimming. Obey RED Flags, stay out of the water.

​Strongest rip currents often occur a couple hours either side of low tide, which is around 11:35 a.m. today.

Sunny skies with temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. Southwest winds at 10 to 15 mph. Water temperatures: Duck Pier…77. Jennettes Pier…77. Oregon Inlet Marina…82.

Ocean Rescue staffing is at off season levels. Most beaches are covered by a roving patrol. If help is needed, know your location and call 911.

Warnings from the Dare EMS and the National Park Service

In addition, Dare County EMS is cautioning that “the powerful swell from distant Major Hurricane Fiona will increase today, bringing very dangerous surf and marine conditions to coastal NC. Some minor ocean overwash for areas on the Outer Banks with weak dunes is also possible around the times of high tides over the next two days.”

And the Cape Hatteras National Seashore is recommending that “due to the potential for ocean overwash and beach erosion associated with distant Hurricane Fiona…visitors [should] avoid the beach adjacent to Rodanthe, N.C., from Thursday, Sept 22 through Friday, Sept. 23…The recommendation [is] to avoid a two-mile stretch of beach, between the north end of Rodanthe and South Shore Dr.”

 

Comments are closed.