Alert archive / North Carolina / Rip Current Statements in 2020
Rip Current Statement 9, NWS Wilmington, NC
NWS Wilmington, NC issued this rip current statement at May 19, 2020, 8:17 PM EDT for New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina. It took effect at May 20, 2020, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 19, 2020, 8:17 PM EDT (00:17 UTC)
- In effect from
- May 20, 2020, 6:00 AM EDT
- Expired
- May 20, 2020, 8:00 PM EDT
- In force
- 14 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Wilmington, NC
Counties New Hanover County, NC, Pender County, NC
The radar
The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 65 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:20 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Newport, NC (KMHX), launched 00:00Z, 0.3 hours before the alert went out and 103 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 450 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 17 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 173 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 230 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.3
The text
As transmitted.
082 WHUS42 KILM 200017 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 817 PM EDT Tue May 19 2020 NCZ106-108-201100- /O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0009.200520T1000Z-200521T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover- 817 PM EDT Tue May 19 2020 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties. * WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. && $$
3 follow-up statements
759 WHUS42 KILM 200846 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 446 AM EDT Wed May 20 2020 NCZ106-108-210000- /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.200520T1000Z-200521T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover- 446 AM EDT Wed May 20 2020 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties. * WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. && $$ 43
952
WHUS42 KILM 201430
CFWILM
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1030 AM EDT Wed May 20 2020
NCZ108-210100-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0022.200520T2100Z-200521T0100Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-200521T0000Z/
Coastal New Hanover-
1030 AM EDT Wed May 20 2020
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
9 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of
inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near
shorelines and tidal waterways. For the High Rip Current Risk,
dangerous rip currents.
* WHERE...Coastal New Hanover County.
* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 5 PM this
afternoon to 9 PM EDT this evening. For the High Rip Current
Risk, until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Minor street flooding occurs on the sound-side of
Carolina Beach, along Canal Drive from Starfish Lane
northward. Water gets into yards along the sound, but the
street flooding is mainly the result of salt water backing up
through the storm drains. Heavy rain at the time of high tide
exacerbates this problem. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.
Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.
&&
Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.
Mercer Pier at Wrightsville Beach - Flood Stage 6.0 FT
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 8.0 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.7 ft, Moderate 3.7 ft, Major 5.7 ft
Total Total Departure
Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Waves Flood
ft MLLW ft MHHW ft ft Impact
-------- --------- --------- --------- ------- --------
20/07 PM 6.4 2.1 2.0 4-5 Minor
21/07 AM 5.5 1.2 1.8 5 None
21/08 PM 5.9 1.6 1.4 4-5 None
22/08 AM 4.4 0.1 0.8 1 None
22/08 PM 5.2 0.9 0.6 2 None
23/08 AM 4.0 -0.3 0.5 2 None
&&
$$
NCZ107-210100-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0022.200521T0000Z-200521T0400Z/
Inland New Hanover-
1030 AM EDT Wed May 20 2020
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO
MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...
* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level
expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal
waterways.
* WHERE...The lower Cape Fear River including downtown
Wilmington.
* WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to midnight EDT tonight.
* IMPACTS...North of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, one spot on
Battleship Road is covered with water about three inches deep.
The westbound lane of USS North Carolina Road is covered with
water up to six inches deep. In downtown Wilmington, about a
block of Water Street just south of Market Street is covered
with about three inches of water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.
&&
Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.
Cape Fear River at Wilmington - Flood Stage 5.5 FT
MLLW Categories - Minor 5.5 ft, Moderate 6.7 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 0.8 ft, Moderate 2.0 ft, Major 5.3 ft
Total Total Departure
Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Waves Flood
ft MLLW ft MHHW ft ft Impact
-------- --------- --------- --------- ------- --------
20/10 AM 4.6 -0.1 0.8 1 None
20/09 PM 5.9 1.2 1.2 1 Minor
21/10 AM 5.2 0.5 1.2 1 None
21/10 PM 5.7 1.0 1.0 1 Minor
22/10 AM 4.6 -0.1 0.6 1 None
22/11 PM 5.2 0.5 0.4 1 None
&&
$$
NCZ106-210000-
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-200521T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-
1030 AM EDT Wed May 20 2020
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.
* WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties.
* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening.
* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.
&&
$$481
WHUS42 KILM 201933
CFWILM
Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
333 PM EDT Wed May 20 2020
NCZ106-210100-
/O.EXA.KILM.CF.Y.0022.200520T2100Z-200521T0100Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-200521T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-
333 PM EDT Wed May 20 2020
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of
inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near
shorelines and tidal waterways. For the High Rip Current Risk,
dangerous rip currents.
* WHERE...Coastal Pender County.
* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening.
* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.
Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.
&&
Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.
Mercer Pier at Wrightsville Beach - Flood Stage 6.0 FT
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 8.0 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.7 ft, Moderate 3.7 ft, Major 5.7 ft
Total Total Departure
Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Waves Flood
ft MLLW ft MHHW ft ft Impact
-------- --------- --------- --------- ------- --------
20/07 PM 6.4 2.1 2.0 4-5 Minor
21/07 AM 5.5 1.2 1.8 5 None
21/08 PM 5.9 1.6 1.4 4-5 None
22/08 AM 4.4 0.1 0.8 1 None
22/08 PM 5.2 0.9 0.6 2 None
23/08 AM 4.0 -0.3 0.5 2 None
&&
$$
NCZ108-210100-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0022.200520T2100Z-200521T0100Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-200521T0000Z/
Coastal New Hanover-
333 PM EDT Wed May 20 2020
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of
inundation above ground level expected in low-lying areas near
shorelines and tidal waterways. For the High Rip Current Risk,
dangerous rip currents.
* WHERE...Coastal New Hanover County.
* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 5 PM this
afternoon to 9 PM EDT this evening. For the High Rip Current
Risk, until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Minor street flooding occurs on the sound-side of
Carolina Beach, along Canal Drive from Starfish Lane
northward. Water gets into yards along the sound, but the
street flooding is mainly the result of salt water backing up
through the storm drains. Heavy rain at the time of high tide
exacerbates this problem. Rip currents can sweep even the best
swimmers away from shore into deeper water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.
Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and
float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a
direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the
shore and call or wave for help.
&&
Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.
Mercer Pier at Wrightsville Beach - Flood Stage 6.0 FT
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 8.0 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.7 ft, Moderate 3.7 ft, Major 5.7 ft
Total Total Departure
Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Waves Flood
ft MLLW ft MHHW ft ft Impact
-------- --------- --------- --------- ------- --------
20/07 PM 6.4 2.1 2.0 4-5 Minor
21/07 AM 5.5 1.2 1.8 5 None
21/08 PM 5.9 1.6 1.4 4-5 None
22/08 AM 4.4 0.1 0.8 1 None
22/08 PM 5.2 0.9 0.6 2 None
23/08 AM 4.0 -0.3 0.5 2 None
&&
$$
NCZ107-210400-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0022.200521T0000Z-200521T0400Z/
Inland New Hanover-
333 PM EDT Wed May 20 2020
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS
EVENING TO MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...
* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level
expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal
waterways.
* WHERE...The lower Cape Fear River including downtown
Wilmington.
* WHEN...From 8 PM this evening to midnight EDT tonight.
* IMPACTS...North of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, one spot on
Battleship Road is covered with water about three inches deep.
The westbound lane of USS North Carolina Road is covered with
water up to six inches deep. In downtown Wilmington, about a
block of Water Street just south of Market Street is covered
with about three inches of water.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be
closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of
unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone
property.
&&
Time of high total tides are approximate to the nearest hour.
Cape Fear River at Wilmington - Flood Stage 5.5 FT
MLLW Categories - Minor 5.5 ft, Moderate 6.7 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 0.8 ft, Moderate 2.0 ft, Major 5.3 ft
Total Total Departure
Day/Time Tide Tide from Norm Waves Flood
ft MLLW ft MHHW ft ft Impact
-------- --------- --------- --------- ------- --------
20/10 AM 4.6 -0.1 0.8 1 None
20/09 PM 5.9 1.2 1.2 1 Minor
21/10 AM 5.2 0.5 1.2 1 None
21/10 PM 5.7 1.0 1.0 1 Minor
22/10 AM 4.6 -0.1 0.6 1 None
22/11 PM 5.2 0.5 0.4 1 None
&&
$$The office that day
Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 9:46 PM EDT | River Flood Warning | ILM | Bladen, Cumberland | 21 days |
| May 20, 10:30 AM EDT | Coastal Flood Advisory | ILM | New Hanover, Pender | 14 hr |
| May 20, 10:35 AM EDT | River Flood Warning | ILM | Robeson | 21 days |
| May 20, 3:29 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILM | Pender | 77 min |
| May 20, 5:47 PM EDT | Areal Flood Advisory | ILM | Bladen | 77 min |
Nearby
Rip Current Statements in North Carolina, 2020Every rip current statement in 2020
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.