Dozens of water rescues made at Wrightsville Beach due to high rip current risk

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) - Swimmers are asked to take caution if they plan on swimming in the ocean this weekend as there is a high rip current risk.

According to Jeremy Owens with Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue, as of 4:50 p.m. on Saturday about a dozen rescues have been made at Wrightsville Beach.

Red flags have been flying at Wrightsville Beach which signal the presence of rip currents.

Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from from shore.

If you are caught in a rip current the National Weather Service says you should yell for help, remain calm and stay afloat without exhausting yourself. If you have to swim out of the current, swim parallel to shore and back towards the beach when possible.

Do not try to swim directly against a rip current.

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