Alert archive / North Carolina / Rip Current Statements in 2023

Rip Current Statement 9, NWS Wilmington, NC

June 21, 2023Brunswick County, New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this rip current statement at Jun 21, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT for Brunswick County, New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina. It was in force for 33 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jun 21, 2023, 10:57 AM EDT (14:57 UTC)
Expired
Jun 22, 2023, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
33 hr
Issued by
NWS Wilmington, NC

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

The radar

The Wilmington radar (KLTX), 3 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:58 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, 3.0 hours before the alert went out and 168 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 2023-06-21Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 90 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 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 2023-06-21The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 49 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
90 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-81 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
659 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
30 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
49 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
78 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

648 
WHUS42 KILM 211457
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
1057 AM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

NCZ106-108-110-SCZ054-056-212300-
/O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0009.230621T1457Z-230622T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Brunswick-
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
1057 AM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover 
  and Coastal Brunswick 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.

&&

$$

lew
5 follow-up statements
129 
WHUS42 KILM 211854
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
254 PM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

NCZ107-220000-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0053.230622T0400Z-230622T0700Z/
Inland New Hanover-
254 PM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 3 AM
EDT THURSDAY...

* 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 midnight tonight to 3 AM EDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...The lowest portions of USS North Carolina Road and 
  Battleship Road begin to observe minor coastal flooding. Water 
  begins to spread out of storm drains onto Water Street just 
  south of Market Street in downtown Wilmington.

* 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 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 22/01 AM     5.5        0.8        1.2       N/A     Minor    
 22/01 PM     4.7        0.0        1.1       N/A      None    
 23/01 AM     5.4        0.7        1.2       N/A      None    
 23/02 PM     4.7        0.0        1.2       N/A      None    
 24/02 AM     5.1        0.4        1.0       N/A      None

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-110-SCZ054-056-220000-
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-230622T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Brunswick-
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
254 PM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

* WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender, Coastal New Hanover 
  and Coastal Brunswick 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.

&&

$$

lew
672 
WHUS42 KILM 212352
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
752 PM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

NCZ107-220700-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0053.230622T0400Z-230622T0700Z/
Inland New Hanover-
752 PM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 3 AM EDT THURSDAY...

* 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 midnight tonight to 3 AM EDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...The lowest portions of USS North Carolina Road and 
  Battleship Road begin to observe minor coastal flooding. Water 
  begins to spread out of storm drains onto Water Street just 
  south of Market Street in downtown Wilmington.

* 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 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 22/01 AM     5.5        0.8        1.2       N/A     Minor    
 22/01 PM     4.7        0.0        1.1       N/A      None    
 23/01 AM     5.4        0.7        1.2       N/A      None    
 23/02 PM     4.7        0.0        1.2       N/A      None    
 24/02 AM     5.1        0.4        1.0       N/A      None    
 24/03 PM     4.4       -0.3        0.8       N/A      None

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-110-SCZ054-056-220700-
/O.EXT.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-230623T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Brunswick-
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
752 PM EDT Wed Jun 21 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. Strong south to north longshore 
  current at east-facing beaches.

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

* WHEN...Through Thursday 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.

&&

$$

19
390 
WHUS42 KILM 220632
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
232 AM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

NCZ107-220745-
/O.EXP.KILM.CF.Y.0053.000000T0000Z-230622T0700Z/
Inland New Hanover-
232 AM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 3 AM EDT EARLY THIS
MORNING...

$$

NCZ106-108-110-SCZ054-056-230000-
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-230623T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Brunswick-
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
232 AM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through 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.

&&

$$

9
050 
WHUS42 KILM 221921
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
321 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

NCZ107-230330-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0054.230623T0400Z-230623T0700Z/
Inland New Hanover-
321 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 3 AM
EDT FRIDAY...

* 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 midnight tonight to 3 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...The lowest portions of USS North Carolina Road and 
  Battleship Road begin to observe minor coastal flooding. Water 
  begins to spread out of storm drains onto Water Street just 
  south of Market Street in downtown Wilmington.

* 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 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 23/01 AM     5.7        1.0        1.5       N/A     Minor    
 23/02 PM     4.9        0.2        1.4       N/A      None    
 24/02 AM     5.3        0.6        1.2       N/A      None    
 24/03 PM     4.6       -0.1        1.0       N/A      None    
 25/03 AM     5.1        0.4        1.1       N/A      None

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-110-SCZ054-056-230000-
/O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-230623T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Brunswick-
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
321 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

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

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.

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

* WHEN...Through 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.

&&

$$

31
786 
WHUS42 KILM 222358
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
758 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

SCZ054-056-230700-
/O.EXP.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-230623T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0023.230623T1000Z-230624T0000Z/
Coastal Horry-Coastal Georgetown-
758 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT FRIDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong south to north longshore current. There is also a
  Moderate Risk of rip currents expected.

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

* WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Friday through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into
  rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. It may
  sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to return to
  shore.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with
lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may
be swept into.

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-110-230700-
/O.EXP.KILM.RP.S.0009.000000T0000Z-230623T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0010.230623T1000Z-230624T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Brunswick-
758 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT FRIDAY THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

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

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

&&

$$

NCZ107-230700-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0054.230623T0400Z-230623T0700Z/
Inland New Hanover-
758 PM EDT Thu Jun 22 2023

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT
TO 3 AM EDT FRIDAY...

* 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 midnight tonight to 3 AM EDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...The lowest portions of USS North Carolina Road and 
  Battleship Road begin to observe minor coastal flooding. Water 
  begins to spread out of storm drains onto Water Street just 
  south of Market Street in downtown Wilmington.

* 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 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 23/01 AM     5.7        1.0        1.5       N/A     Minor    
 23/02 PM     4.9        0.2        1.4       N/A      None    
 24/02 AM     5.3        0.6        1.2       N/A      None    
 24/03 PM     4.6       -0.1        1.0       N/A      None    
 25/03 AM     5.1        0.4        1.1       N/A      None    
 25/04 PM     4.7        0.0        1.0       N/A      None

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 20, 9:24 PM EDTAreal Flood AdvisoryILMRobeson3 hr
Jun 20, 9:40 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMRobeson35 min
Jun 20, 10:18 PM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryILMNew Hanover4 hr
Jun 21, 2:54 PM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryILMNew Hanover12 hr
Jun 21, 2:55 PM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryILM37 hr
Jun 21, 2:45 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMWilliamsburg30 min
Jun 21, 5:08 PM EDTSpecial Weather StatementILMGeorgetown52 min

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.