During NC Severe Weather Preparedness Week its not only the dangers from the sky you have to be aware of but the dangers that could come from vacationing at the beach. 

Beach Hazards and Safety

A trip to the beach should be fun. Unfortunately, far too many people are injured or killed along our nation's beaches by hazards such as dangerous currents, heat and lightning.  A surf zone is defined as the area of water between the beach/shore and the first line of breaking waves.

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., as well as along the shores of the Great Lakes.

Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer.

Panicked swimmers often try to counter a rip current by swimming straight back to shore—putting themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue.

Lifeguards rescue tens of thousands of people from rip currents in the U.S. every year, but it is estimated that 100 people are killed by rip currents annually. If caught in a rip current, don't fight it! Swim parallel to the shore and swim back to land at an angle.

While the terms are often confused, rip currents are different than rip tides. A rip tide is a specific type of current associated with the swift movement of tidal water through inlets and the mouths of estuaries, embankments, and harbors.

Watch the video below on rip currents. 

Of course rip currents aren't the only dangers at the ocean. Please remember to keep yourself protected form the sun with shade, sunscreen and stay hydrated! It's easy to forget about these things while relaxing and enjoying your vacation so just plan ahead. 

As always thank you for following Rowan County Weather!