11 rip current rescues near Wilmington on July 4th; high rip current risk weekend amid tropical storm warning for NC beaches

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WNCN) — There were nearly a dozen North Carolina rip current rescues on Friday at beaches near Wilmington, officials said.

Meanwhile, there’s a high risk for rip currents Saturday as a tropical storm warning for Tropical Storm Chantal was extended to North Carolina beaches.

Lifeguards at Carolina Beach rescued five people from rip currents while Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue pulled six people from rip currents on Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

The rescues on Friday in New Hanover County came while there was a moderate risk for rip currents — a slightly better condition than Saturday.

There were nearly 200 rip current rescues at North Carolina beaches over four days during 2024 Fourth of July holiday and week.

The weather service had predicted moderate rip current risk for Saturday but that was changed as Tropical Depression Three strengthened into Tropical Storm Chantal.

A Tropical Storm Warning was issued Saturday for North Carolina beaches in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties. Officials said the warning means there is the potential for winds from 39 to 57 mph.

A high rip current risk indicates that life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.

The storm is expected to make landfall along the South Carolina coast and move northward — dumping most rain along the southeastern North Carolina beaches.

The largest impact on the Carolinas will be locally heavy rainfall with potential for isolated flooding Saturday night through Sunday.