Alert archive / South Carolina / Rip Current Statements in 2026

Rip Current Statement 8, NWS Charleston, SC

September 24, 2026

NWS Charleston, SC issued this rip current statement at Sep 24, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 12 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 24, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT (12:00 UTC)
Expired
Sep 24, 2026, 8:00 PM EDT
In force
12 hr
Issued by
NWS Charleston, SC

The text

As transmitted.

130 
WHUS42 KCHS 231701
CFWCHS

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Charleston SC
101 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

SCZ149-150-240300-
/O.NEW.KCHS.CF.Y.0027.260923T2100Z-260924T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KCHS.RP.S.0008.260924T1200Z-260925T0000Z/
Coastal Colleton-Charleston-
101 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...
...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, up to one half foot of 
  inundation above ground level expected along shorelines and 
  tidal waterways (7.0 to 7.2 feet Mean Lower Low Water at 
  Charleston). For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip 
  currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Colleton and Charleston Counties.

* WHEN...For the Coastal Flood Advisory, from 5 PM this 
  afternoon to 8 PM EDT this evening. For the High Rip Current 
  Risk, from Thursday morning through Thursday evening.

* IMPACTS...This will result in some roads becoming impassable 
  and minor flooding of properties. Rip currents can sweep even 
  the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...High tide will occur around 6:29 PM today 
  at Charleston. Saltwater inundation will be possible 1 to 2 
  hours before and after high tide.

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.

Visit water.weather.gov for additional water level and flood
impact information.

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.

Charleston Harbor SC
MLLW Categories - Minor 7.0 ft, Moderate 7.5 ft, Major 8.0 ft
MHHW Categories - Minor 1.2 ft, Moderate 1.7 ft, Major 2.2 ft

             Total      Total    Departure                   
 Day/Time    Tide       Tide     from Norm   Waves    Flood  
            ft MLLW    ft MHHW       ft       ft      Impact 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 23/06 PM     7.1        1.3        1.2       N/A     Minor    
 24/07 AM     7.0        1.2        1.5       N/A     Minor    
 24/07 PM     7.6        1.8        1.6       N/A    Moderate  
 25/07 AM     7.3        1.5        1.5       N/A     Minor    
 25/08 PM     7.4        1.6        1.3       N/A     Minor

&&

$$

GAZ217-219-239-241-SCZ148-151-240300-
/O.NEW.KCHS.RP.S.0008.260924T1200Z-260925T0000Z/
Coastal Bryan-Coastal Chatham-Coastal Liberty-Coastal McIntosh-
Beaufort-Coastal Jasper-
101 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Georgia Beaches, Beaufort, and Coastal Jasper.

* WHEN...From Thursday morning 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.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
129 
WHUS42 KCHS 232243
CFWCHS

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Charleston SC
643 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

SCZ149-150-240645-
/O.CAN.KCHS.CF.Y.0027.000000T0000Z-260924T0000Z/
/O.CON.KCHS.RP.S.0008.260924T1200Z-260925T0000Z/
Coastal Colleton-Charleston-
643 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...
...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Coastal Colleton and Charleston Counties.

* WHEN...From Thursday morning 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.

&&

$$

GAZ217-219-239-241-SCZ148-151-240645-
/O.CON.KCHS.RP.S.0008.260924T1200Z-260925T0000Z/
Coastal Bryan-Coastal Chatham-Coastal Liberty-Coastal McIntosh-
Beaufort-Coastal Jasper-
643 PM EDT Wed Sep 23 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...Georgia Beaches, Beaufort, and Coastal Jasper.

* WHEN...From Thursday morning 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.

&&

$$
616 
WHUS42 KCHS 240643
CFWCHS

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Charleston SC
243 AM EDT Thu Sep 24 2026

GAZ217-219-239-241-SCZ148>151-241445-
/O.CON.KCHS.RP.S.0008.260924T1200Z-260925T0000Z/
Coastal Bryan-Coastal Chatham-Coastal Liberty-Coastal McIntosh-
Beaufort-Coastal Colleton-Charleston-Coastal Jasper-
243 AM EDT Thu Sep 24 2026

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected.

* WHERE...South Carolina Beaches, and Georgia Beaches.

* WHEN...From 8 AM EDT this morning 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.

&&

$$

Nearby

Rip Current Statements in South Carolina, 2026Rip Current Statements in Georgia, 2026Every rip current statement in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text.