Alert archive / North Carolina / Beach Hazards Statements in 2026

Beach Hazards Statement 40, NWS Wilmington, NC

July 27, 2026New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina

NWS Wilmington, NC issued this beach hazards statement at Jul 27, 2026, 8:29 PM EDT for New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina. It took effect at Jul 28, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jul 27, 2026, 8:29 PM EDT (00:29 UTC)
In effect from
Jul 28, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
Expired
Jul 28, 2026, 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 00:32 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

Charleston AFB, SC (KCHS), launched 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 185 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, Charleston AFB, SC at 00:00Z on 2026-07-28Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 2035 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Charleston AFB, SC at 00:00Z on 2026-07-28The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 67 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
2035 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-20 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
952 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
16 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
67 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
115 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

598 
WHUS42 KILM 280029
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
829 PM EDT Mon Jul 27 2026

NCZ107-280400-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0028.000000T0000Z-260728T0400Z/
Inland New Hanover-
829 PM EDT Mon Jul 27 2026

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
TONIGHT...

* 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 midnight EDT tonight.

* 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.

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 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 27/09 PM     6.1        1.4        1.2       N/A     Minor    
 28/10 AM     5.4        0.7        1.4       N/A      None    
 28/10 PM     6.3        1.6        1.4       N/A     Minor    
 29/10 AM     5.1        0.4        1.0       N/A      None    
 29/11 PM     6.0        1.3        1.2       N/A     Minor    
 30/11 AM     5.2        0.5        1.1       N/A      None

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-280830-
/O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0040.260728T1000Z-260729T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
829 PM EDT Mon Jul 27 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT TUESDAY
THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong south to north longshore current developing during
  Tue afternoon and continuing through the evening.

* 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 Tuesday through Tuesday 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.

&&

$$
dch/ralf
3 follow-up statements
317 
WHUS42 KILM 280601
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
201 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ107-290000-
/O.NEW.KILM.CF.Y.0029.260729T0000Z-260729T0400Z/
Inland New Hanover-
201 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 8 PM THIS EVENING TO
MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT...

* 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 PM this evening to midnight EDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...The lowest portions of Battleship Road and USS North 
  Carolina Road observe minor coastal flooding of about one foot 
  in depth. In downtown Wilmington, several blocks of Water 
  Street observe shallow flooding from one half to one foot in 
  depth. The low-lying areas along River Road and adjacent 
  residential roads, south of River Road Park, will begin to 
  flood. Route 133 at Little Mallory Creek may begin to flood. 
  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 
 --------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------
 28/09 AM     5.3        0.6        1.3       N/A      None    
 28/10 PM     6.3        1.6        1.4       N/A     Minor    
 29/10 AM     5.1        0.4        1.0       N/A      None    
 29/11 PM     6.1        1.4        1.3       N/A     Minor    
 30/11 AM     5.3        0.6        1.2       N/A      None    
 30/11 PM     6.0        1.3        1.2       N/A     Minor

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-290000-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0040.260728T1000Z-260729T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
201 AM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS
MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING...

* WHAT... Strong south to north longshore current developing
  during Tuesday afternoon and continuing through the evening.

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

* WHEN...Today.

* 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.

&&

$$

21
760 
WHUS42 KILM 281851
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
251 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ107-290400-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0029.260729T0000Z-260729T0400Z/
Inland New Hanover-
251 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...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...Portions of Battleship Road and USS North Carolina 
  Road observe minor coastal flooding up to one half foot in 
  depth. In downtown Wilmington, a block of Water Street 
  observes minor flooding up to one quarter foot in depth.

* 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 PM     5.9        1.2        1.0       N/A     Minor    
 29/10 AM     4.9        0.2        0.8       N/A      None    
 29/11 PM     5.8        1.1        1.0       N/A     Minor    
 30/11 AM     5.0        0.3        0.9       N/A      None    
 30/11 PM     5.8        1.1        1.0       N/A     Minor    
 31/11 AM     5.1        0.4        1.0       N/A      None

&&

$$

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-290000-
/O.CON.KILM.BH.S.0040.000000T0000Z-260729T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
251 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Strong south to north longshore current. 

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

* WHEN...Today.

* 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.

&&

$$
258 
WHUS42 KILM 290004
CFWILM

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
804 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-290115-
/O.EXP.KILM.BH.S.0040.000000T0000Z-260729T0000Z/
Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry-
Coastal Georgetown-
804 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT HAS EXPIRED...

$$

NCZ107-290400-
/O.CON.KILM.CF.Y.0029.000000T0000Z-260729T0400Z/
Inland New Hanover-
804 PM EDT Tue Jul 28 2026

...COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Up to one half 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 midnight EDT tonight.

* IMPACTS...Portions of Battleship Road and USS North Carolina 
  Road observe minor coastal flooding up to one half foot in 
  depth. In downtown Wilmington, a block of Water Street 
  observes minor flooding up to one quarter foot in depth.

* 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 PM     5.9        1.2        1.0       N/A     Minor    
 29/10 AM     4.9        0.2        0.8       N/A      None    
 29/11 PM     5.8        1.1        1.0       N/A     Minor    
 30/11 AM     5.0        0.3        0.9       N/A      None    
 30/11 PM     5.8        1.1        1.0       N/A     Minor    
 31/11 AM     5.1        0.4        1.0       N/A      None

&&

$$
ralf

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this beach hazards statement went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Wilmington, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before this beach hazards statement went out at Jul 27, 2:56 PM EDT, 5 hours 33 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Heat Advisory likely for part of the area Tuesday. 2) Strong storms possible Tuesday night.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 27, 2:56 PM EDT, 5 hours 33 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Wilmington NC
256 PM EDT Mon Jul 27 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
All sections updated. Heat Advisory raised Tuesday for all but
northernmost counties.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Heat Advisory likely for part of the area Tuesday.

2) Strong storms possible Tuesday night.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGE 1...Heat Advisory likely for part of the area
Tuesday.

KEY MESSAGE 1 DESCRIPTION...
20+ degree 850mb temperatures return tomorrow ahead of a cold
front. This will allow afternoon temperatures to warm into the
90s while dewpoints are progged to get into the mid/upper 70s.
Concerned with NW flow and the steep LL hydrolapse rates that
some lower dewpoints could mix down but after collab with CHS
and CAE have gone ahead and raised a Heat Advisory for all but
northern row of counties.

KEY MESSAGE 2...Strong storms possible Tuesday night.

KEY MESSAGE 2 DESCRIPTION...
After a moistly rain-free Tuesday a cold
front and mid level trough will impinge upon the area from the NNW.
Models are bullish on both POPS and QPF as this occurs, and the
available moisture concerns expressed above could very well
mean that both are running too high. Assuming that some surface
dewpoint recovery is possible around sunset have not deviated
from blended POPs/QPF with this package. Rainfall totals thus
expected to have a N-S gradient with the Cape Fear Region
nabbing 1-1.25".

&&

.AVIATION /18Z MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/...
This afternoon's convection will remain quite randomly spaced and
only lead to minimal, short-lived restrictions. Fog tonight is
slated to remain no worse than MVFR and should favor inland
terminals unless more rainfall develops along the coast today. VFR
for Tuesday with numerous showers and storms holding off until after
the TAF cycle.

Extended Forecast... VFR should dominate thereafter through
Friday.

&&

.MARINE...
Tonight through Friday... After tonight's uncharacteristically quiet
set of conditions winds and seas will ramp up considerably as
Tuesday progresses. SCA conditions will likely develop over part
of the area. Given the uncertainty and that we're talking most
Tuesday night have held off on raising headlines at this time.
Conditions will start to improve Wednesday even if only slowly
but from WEdnesday night onward the gradient grows very weak as
there is no push of high pressure following FROPA.

&&

.ILM WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NC...Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM EDT Tuesday for NCZ099-107>110.
     Coastal Flood Advisory from 7 PM this evening to midnight EDT
     tonight for NCZ107.
SC...Heat Advisory from noon to 8 PM EDT Tuesday for SCZ017-023-024-
     032-033-039-054>056-058-059.
MARINE...None.

&&

WHAT HAS CHANGED...MBB
KEY MESSAGES...MBB
DISCUSSION...MBB
AVIATION...MBB
MARINE...MBB

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 28, 1:10 AM EDTSmall Craft AdvisoryILM29 hr
Jul 28, 2:01 AM EDTCoastal Flood AdvisoryILMNew Hanover22 hr

Nearby

Beach Hazards Statements in North Carolina, 2026Beach Hazards Statements in South Carolina, 2026Every beach hazards 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.