Hurricane Erin aftermath: Erosion at Wrightsville Beach, dangerous rip current risk

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Hurricane Erin is pulling away from the United States, leaving beach erosion and rough surf along the North Carolina coastline.

On Thursday morning, deep cliffs of sand lined much of Wrightsville Beach after the surf came up around high tide Wednesday evening, eating away at the shoreline.

Although the erosion at Wrightsville Beach did not reach the dunes, beach crews said the changing shoreline is still monitored before, during and after storms like Erin.

Farther north, in the Outer Banks, waves did crash over the dunes, leaving oceanfront neighborhoods flooded and covering driveways with deep sand.

In the Outer Banks, N.C. Highway 12 remains closed from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Village on Thursday, but conditions are expected to improve throughout the day as Erin moves away to the northeast.

Rip currents are another threat that will persist for days even as Erin moves hundreds of miles away from the United States.

When rain bands and gusty winds began moving away from the coast Thursday morning, people were taking advantage of the large waves and surfing at Wrightsville Beach, which is strongly discouraged due to life-threatening rip currents.

Dozens of water rescues were reported at the coast in past days, and Wrightsville Beach will see a high rip current risk through Friday morning due to the large size of the storm.

Flags flying at beaches mean different things:

  • Green flag: Low hazard
  • Yellow flag: Medium hazard
  • Red flag: High hazard
  • Double red flag: Closed beach
  • Purple flag: Dangerous marine animals are nearby

Avoid getting in the water when conditions are rough, and remember the following ocean safety tips.

When at the beach

  • Whenever possible, swim at a lifeguard-protected beach.
  • Never swim alone.
  • Learn how to swim in the surf. It’s not the same as swimming in a pool or lake.
  • Be cautious at all times, especially when swimming at unguarded beaches. If in doubt, don’t go out.
  • Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water. This is part of their job.
  • Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist along these structures.
  • Consider using polarized sunglasses when at the beach. They will help you to spot signatures of rip currents by cutting down glare and reflected sunlight off the ocean’s surface.
  • Pay especially close attention to children and the elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.

If caught in a rip current

  • Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
  • Never fight against the current.
  • Think of it like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, which you need to step to the side of.
  • Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle – away from the current – toward shore.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
  • If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arm and yelling for help

If you see someone in trouble

  • Don’t become a victim, too.
  • Get help from a lifeguard.
  • If a lifeguard is not available, have someone call 911.
  • Throw the rip current victim something that floats – a life jacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
  • Yell instructions on how to escape.
  • Remember, many people drown while trying to save someone else from a rip current.