Riptides in Emerald Isle
As a realtor in Emerald Isle, NC, we know our home is known for its beautiful beaches and friendly atmosphere, and it’s a wonderful place to call home or visit on your summer vacation. However, as with any beach town, it’s important to understand beach safety rules and get familiar with the color-coded flag warning system in Emerald Isle that warns of riptides and dangers so that you can keep your friends and family safe.
Whether you are fortunate to call Emerald Isle home or will be visiting soon, we have some tips to help you make sure you can safely enjoy your time here.
What is a riptide?
A rip tide is just another way people refer to a rip current, which is a fast moving body of water that moves away from the shore perpendicularly. These currents can move quickly, usually about one to two feet per second, although some can flow as fast as eight feet per second (that’s faster than Michael Phelps).
When waves come to shore, the water has to flow back out to sea somehow. A rip current occurs most often around sandbars. The water moving back out to the ocean will find the easiest route out, which means that any deep parts of the sand bar will allow water to flow back out more quickly, creating a current that can easily sweep even a strong swimmer of his feet.
Are there more rip currents in Emerald Isle than other beaches?
Not necessarily. At any point along the beach, you can find rip currents occurring regularly. They are equally common across our North Carolina shores, and even the entire coast line.
How do I avoid a rip current?
There are two great ways to identify where a rip current is when you’re out at the beach. The first is spotting a calm patch of water, free of waves in an otherwise choppy or wave-filled sea. This calm spot is a sure sign that a current is flowing back out to the ocean and should be avoided.
Another way to spot a rip current is to look at the color of the water. If it’s brown in color, that’s another sign of a rip current. As the water moves quickly back into the ocean, it stirs up sediment from the ocean floor and turns the water into a muddy color. If you see either of these signs, stay out of the water and notify your friends and family.
What do I do if I get caught in a rip current?
The best thing you can do if you find yourself in a rip current is to remain calm. Swim sideways, parallel to the shore to get out of the current, and then swim in toward the shore. You can also signal to shore, tread water and wait until the current dissipates, or float on your back to conserve energy. Whatever you do, do not attempt to swim back to shore against the current.
Beach time at Emerald Isle
We hope these tips will go a long way in helping you stay safe this summer. Remember, you can always check Emerald Isle beach conditions before you head out to the water! Enjoy your time on the beautiful beaches of Emerald Isle and make some memories with family and friends that you can cherish for years to come.
Get In Touch With Us
- 252-515-0552
- bradberrygarner@gmail.com
- 5113-A Hwy. 70 Morehead City, NC 28557
