Overview

• Lifeguards at Hampton Beach performed about 144 rescues over six days after Tropical Depression Dexter’s 3- to 5-foot surf triggered sudden, hard-to-see flash rip currents
• Patrol Chief Patrick Murphy said the unpredictable currents can form in waist-deep water when storm waves scour sand channels and send powerful outflows seaward
• At the peak of the surge, lifeguards made 51 rescues in a single day despite a full staff of 102 guards and yellow-flag warnings indicating moderate danger
• Officials urge swimmers caught in rip currents to remain calm and swim parallel to shore rather than fighting directly back against the flow
• The National Weather Service forecasts that swells from Hurricane Erin will raise rip-current risk on New England beaches from Wednesday through Friday