KITTY HAWKS, N.C. (WAVY) — Hurricane Ernesto passing by offshore is causing dangerous rip currents for the Outer Banks and Virginia Beach into next week.
The rips are so bad in spots that swimming isn’t allowed.
The town of Kitty Hawk put up double red flags at its beaches, meaning swimming is prohibited to the public and violators could face a $250 fine. Those who have floatation devices and leash, like a surfboard, however are exempt, the town’s police department says.
Surfers will definitely enjoy the bigger waves from Hurricane Ernesto, which as of Friday afternoon as hundreds of miles off the coast, south of Bermuda.
It’s expected to stay well off shore, but the high rip risk will stay up for the Outer Banks and Virginia Beach through about next Tuesday.
This year so far, there have been 30 fatalities due to rip currents, half of which have been on the U.S. East Coast. One person, an 18-year-old, recently died in Nags Head.
If you’re stuck in a rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline to escape. WAVY’s Steve Fundaro has a tutorial on how to escape.