Alert archive / North Carolina / Rip Current Statements in 2023

Rip Current Statement 31, NWS Wilmington, NC

October 27, 2023New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this rip current statement at Oct 27, 2023, 7:50 PM EDT for New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina. It took effect at Oct 28, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Oct 27, 2023, 7:50 PM EDT (23:50 UTC)
In effect from
Oct 28, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT
Expired
Oct 28, 2023, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
14 hr
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC

Counties New Hanover County, NC, Pender County, NC, Georgetown County, SC, Horry County, SC

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 7 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:53 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 12:00Z, 11.8 hours before the alert went out and 172 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2023-10-27Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Newport, NC at 12:00Z on 2023-10-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 14 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1122 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
14 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
14 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-34 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

048 
WHUS42 KILM 272350
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
750 PM EDT Fri Oct 27 2023

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-280800-
/O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0031.231028T1000Z-231029T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
750 PM EDT Fri Oct 27 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT SATURDAY THROUGH
SATURDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New 
  Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal 
  Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Saturday through Saturday 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.

&&

$$
dch
4 follow-up statements
019 
WHUS42 KILM 280539
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
139 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

NCZ106-108-281300-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0128.231028T1000Z-231028T1300Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0031.231028T1000Z-231029T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-
139 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 9 AM EDT THIS
MORNING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH 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 expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 AM to 9 AM EDT 
  this morning. For the High Rip Current Risk, from 6 AM EDT 
  this morning through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Low-lying roads and locations along the Intracoastal 
  Waterway and adjacent tidal creeks may observe minor coastal 
  flooding. Check with local officials for any road closures or 
  impacts. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away 
  from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Affected areas listed are based on 
  average tide conditions. Additional locations may experience 
  flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or 
  other factors.

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
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 8.0 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.5 ft, Moderate 3.5 ft, Major 5.5 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 28/07 AM     6.0        1.5        0.4        3      Minor    
 28/08 PM     5.2        0.7        0.4        3       None    
 29/08 AM     6.1        1.6        0.4        2      Minor    
 29/08 PM     5.1        0.6        0.5        2       None    
 30/09 AM     6.2        1.7        0.6        2      Minor    
 30/09 PM     5.0        0.5        0.6        2       None

&&

$$

SCZ054-056-281300-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0128.231028T1000Z-231028T1300Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0031.231028T1000Z-231029T0000Z/
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
139 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 9 AM EDT THIS
MORNING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH 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 expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 6 AM to 9 AM EDT 
  this morning. For the High Rip Current Risk, from 6 AM EDT 
  this morning through this evening.

* IMPACTS...Vulnerable causeways to and from local beaches may 
  experience minor coastal flooding. Low-lying roads and 
  locations along the Intracoastal Waterway and adjacent tidal 
  creeks may observe minor coastal flooding. Check with local 
  officials for the latest information regarding coastal flood 
  impacts and closures. Rip currents can sweep even the best 
  swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Affected areas listed are based on 
  average tide conditions. Additional locations may experience 
  flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or 
  other factors.

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.

Springmaid Pier at Myrtle Beach
MLLW Categories - Minor 7.0 ft, Moderate 8.5 ft, Major 10.5 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.4 ft, Moderate 2.9 ft, Major 4.9 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 28/08 AM     7.2        1.6        0.5        2      Minor    
 28/08 PM     6.6        1.0        0.6        2       None    
 29/08 AM     7.4        1.8        0.6        2      Minor    
 29/09 PM     6.6        1.0        0.8        2       None    
 30/09 AM     7.6        2.0        0.8       1-2     Minor    
 30/09 PM     6.2        0.6        0.8        2       None

&&

$$

NCZ110-281300-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0128.231028T1000Z-231028T1300Z/
Coastal Brunswick-
139 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM TO 9 AM EDT THIS
MORNING...

* WHAT...Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level 
  expected in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal 
  waterways.

* WHERE...Coastal Brunswick County.

* WHEN...From 6 AM to 9 AM EDT this morning.

* IMPACTS...Low-lying roads and locations along the Intracoastal 
  Waterway and adjacent tidal creeks may observe minor coastal 
  flooding. Check with local officials for any road closures or 
  impacts.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Affected areas listed are based on 
  average tide conditions. Additional locations may experience 
  flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or 
  other factors.

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.

Mercer Pier at Wrightsville Beach
MLLW Categories - Minor 6.0 ft, Moderate 8.0 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.5 ft, Moderate 3.5 ft, Major 5.5 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 28/07 AM     6.0        1.5        0.4        3      Minor    
 28/08 PM     5.2        0.7        0.4        3       None    
 29/08 AM     6.1        1.6        0.4        2      Minor    
 29/08 PM     5.1        0.6        0.5        2       None    
 30/09 AM     6.2        1.7        0.6        2      Minor    
 30/09 PM     5.0        0.5        0.6        2       None

&&

$$

NCZ107-281300-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0128.231028T1200Z-231028T1600Z/
Inland New Hanover-
139 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM THIS MORNING TO
NOON EDT TODAY...

* WHAT...Up to one 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 AM this morning to noon EDT today.

* IMPACTS...Portions of Battleship Road and USS North Carolina 
  Road observe minor coastal flooding up to one foot in depth. 
  In downtown Wilmington, sections of Water Street observe minor 
  flooding up to one half foot in depth. Check with local 
  officials for any road closures or impacts.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Affected areas listed are based on 
  average tide conditions. Additional locations may experience 
  flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or 
  other factors.

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
MLLW Categories - Minor 5.5 ft, Moderate 6.8 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 0.8 ft, Moderate 2.1 ft, Major 5.3 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 28/10 AM     6.0        1.3        0.6       N/A     Minor    
 28/10 PM     5.5        0.8        0.6       N/A     Minor    
 29/11 AM     6.0        1.3        0.6       N/A     Minor    
 29/11 PM     5.5        0.8        0.8       N/A     Minor    
 30/11 AM     6.1        1.4        0.8       N/A     Minor

&&

$$

19
171 
WHUS42 KILM 281300
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
900 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-282100-
/O.EXP.KILM.CF.Y.0128.000000T0000Z-231028T1300Z/
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0031.000000T0000Z-231029T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
900 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New 
  Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal 
  Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this 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.

&&

$$

NCZ110-281400-
/O.EXP.KILM.CF.Y.0128.000000T0000Z-231028T1300Z/
Coastal Brunswick-
900 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

$$

NCZ107-281600-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0128.000000T0000Z-231028T1600Z/
Inland New Hanover-
900 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EDT
TODAY...

* WHAT...Up to one foot of inundation above ground level in low- 
  lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

* WHERE...The lower Cape Fear River including downtown 
  Wilmington.

* WHEN...Until noon EDT today.

* IMPACTS...Portions of Battleship Road and USS North Carolina 
  Road observe minor coastal flooding up to one foot in depth. 
  In downtown Wilmington, sections of Water Street observe minor 
  flooding up to one half foot in depth. Check with local 
  officials for any road closures or impacts.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Affected areas listed are based on 
  average tide conditions. Additional locations may experience 
  flooding during periods of heavy rainfall, high winds, or 
  other factors.

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
MLLW Categories - Minor 5.5 ft, Moderate 6.8 ft, Major 10.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 0.8 ft, Moderate 2.1 ft, Major 5.3 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 28/10 AM     6.0        1.3        0.6       N/A     Minor    
 28/10 PM     5.5        0.8        0.6       N/A     Minor    
 29/11 AM     6.0        1.3        0.6       N/A     Minor    
 29/11 PM     5.5        0.8        0.8       N/A     Minor    
 30/11 AM     6.1        1.4        0.8       N/A     Minor    
 31/12 AM     5.3        0.6        0.8       N/A      None

&&

$$

21
310 
WHUS42 KILM 281559
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1159 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

NCZ107-281700-
/O.CAN.KILM.CF.Y.0128.000000T0000Z-231028T1600Z/
Inland New Hanover-
1159 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

$$

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-290000-
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0031.000000T0000Z-231029T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
1159 AM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender and Coastal New 
  Hanover Counties. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry and Coastal 
  Georgetown Counties.

* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this 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.

&&

$$

21
172 
WHUS42 KILM 282358
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
758 PM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-290100-
/O.EXP.KILM.RP.S.0031.000000T0000Z-231029T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
758 PM EDT Sat Oct 28 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

Rip current risk will be moderate for beaches north of Cape Fear
on Sunday, and a low risk is forecasted for Brunswick county and
northeast SC beaches.

$$

19

The office that day

Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 27, 3:27 AM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryILMNew Hanover7 hr

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in North Carolina, 2023Rip Current Statements in South Carolina, 2023Every rip current statement in 2023

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.