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2h ago

Hampton Beach Logs 144 Rip-Current Rescues as Erin Forces Beach Closures Along the East Coast

Patrol leaders say last week’s surge stemmed from flash rip currents formed by Tropical Depression Dexter’s surf.

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Hurricane Erin was driving rough surf and a high rip current risk along much of the U.S. East Coast, an Aug. 19 forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows.
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Overview

  • Lifeguards at the New Hampshire beach made 144 rescues in six days, including 51 on Aug. 12, and none of those pulled from the water required further medical care.
  • Officials described “flash” rip currents forming quickly in waist- to chest-deep water as 3- to 5-foot waves scoured sand and opened channels.
  • The National Weather Service warns that large, long-period swells from Hurricane Erin will bring dangerous surf and a high rip-current risk to New England from midweek into Friday.
  • Communities are closing or restricting access to the water, including Scituate’s Pegotty and Minot beaches in Massachusetts and a no-swim order at Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.
  • Beach agencies urge swimmers to stay near staffed lifeguard areas—Hampton’s are on duty roughly 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.—and to escape a rip by staying calm and swimming parallel to shore.