Alert archive / North Carolina / Rip Current Statements in 2026
Rip Current Statement 1, NWS Wilmington, NC
NWS Wilmington, NC issued this rip current statement at Apr 7, 2026, 9:58 PM EDT for New Hanover County, Pender County, North Carolina; Georgetown County, Horry County, South Carolina. It took effect at Apr 8, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 14 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Apr 7, 2026, 9:58 PM EDT (01:58 UTC)
- In effect from
- Apr 8, 2026, 6:00 AM EDT
- Expired
- Apr 8, 2026, 7:39 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 01:58 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 00:00Z, 2.0 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1109 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 23 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -45 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -15 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
130 WHUS42 KILM 080158 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 958 PM EDT Tue Apr 7 2026 NCZ106-108-SCZ054-056-090000- /O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0001.260408T1000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Horry- Coastal Georgetown- 958 PM EDT Tue Apr 7 2026 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT WEDNESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents and a strong north to south longshore current 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 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. && $$
4 follow-up statements
141 WHUS42 KILM 080622 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 222 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 NCZ108-SCZ056-081600- /O.NEW.KILM.SU.Y.0001.260408T1000Z-260409T2200Z/ /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0001.260408T1000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Georgetown- 222 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THIS MORNING TO 6 PM EDT THURSDAY... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet expected in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. Strong North to South longshore currents expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal New Hanover County. In South Carolina, Coastal Georgetown County. * WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, from 6 AM this morning to 6 PM EDT Thursday. For the High Rip Current Risk, from 6 AM EDT this morning through this evening. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. && $$ NCZ106-SCZ054-081600- /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0001.260408T1000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal Horry- 222 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THIS MORNING THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. Strong North to South longshore currents expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender County. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry County. * WHEN...From 6 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. && $$ dch
661 WHUS42 KILM 081046 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 646 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 NCZ108-SCZ056-090000- /O.CON.KILM.SU.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T2200Z/ /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Georgetown- 646 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THURSDAY... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 7 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. A strong north to south longshore current is also expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal New Hanover County. In South Carolina, Coastal Georgetown County. * WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 6 PM EDT Thursday. For the High Rip Current Risk, through this evening. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. && $$ NCZ106-SCZ054-090000- /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal Pender-Coastal Horry- 646 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. A strong north to south longshore current is also expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal Pender County. In South Carolina, Coastal Horry County. * 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. && $$ 21
970 WHUS42 KILM 081507 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 1107 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 SCZ054-090000- /O.CAN.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0002.260408T1507Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal Horry- 1107 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IS CANCELLED... * WHAT...Strong north to south longshore current. There is also a Moderate Risk of rip currents. * WHERE...Coastal Horry County. * WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to return to shore. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into. && $$ NCZ108-SCZ056-090000- /O.CON.KILM.SU.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T2200Z/ /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Georgetown- 1107 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THURSDAY... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents. A strong north to south longshore current is also expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal New Hanover County. In South Carolina, Coastal Georgetown County. * WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 6 PM EDT Thursday. For the High Rip Current Risk, until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. 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. && $$ NCZ106-090000- /O.CON.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ Coastal Pender- 1107 AM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents. A strong north to south longshore current is also expected. * WHERE...Coastal Pender County. * WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. && $$
792 WHUS42 KILM 082339 CFWILM Coastal Hazard Message National Weather Service Wilmington NC 739 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 NCZ108-SCZ056-100000- /O.CAN.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0002.260409T1000Z-260410T0000Z/ /O.CON.KILM.SU.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T2200Z/ Coastal New Hanover-Coastal Georgetown- 739 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THURSDAY... ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... * WHAT...For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 4 to 6 feet in the surf zone. For the High Rip Current Risk, dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...In North Carolina, Coastal New Hanover County. In South Carolina, Coastal Georgetown County. * WHEN...For the High Surf Advisory, until 6 PM EDT Thursday. For the High Rip Current Risk, from 6 AM EDT Thursday through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions. 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. && $$ SCZ054-100000- /O.CAN.KILM.BH.S.0002.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KILM.BH.S.0003.260409T1000Z-260410T0000Z/ Coastal Horry- 739 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Strong north to south longshore current. There is also a Moderate Risk of rip currents expected. * WHERE...Coastal Horry County. * WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Thursday through Thursday evening. * IMPACTS...Longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties, and other hazardous areas. It may sweep swimmers off their feet, making it difficult to return to shore. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Caution should be used when in or near the water. Check with lifeguards before entering the ocean for possible hazards you may be swept into. && $$ NCZ106-100000- /O.CAN.KILM.RP.S.0001.000000T0000Z-260409T0000Z/ /O.NEW.KILM.RP.S.0002.260409T1000Z-260410T0000Z/ Coastal Pender- 739 PM EDT Wed Apr 8 2026 ...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING... * WHAT...Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE...Coastal Pender County. * WHEN...From 6 AM EDT Thursday 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. && $$
The office that day
Everything else NWS Wilmington, NC issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 8, 2:22 AM EDT | High Surf Advisory | ILM | New Hanover | 32 hr |
| Apr 8, 7:39 PM EDT | Beach Hazards Statement | ILM | Pender | 24 hr |
| Apr 8, 7:39 PM EDT | Rip Current Statement | ILM | New Hanover, Pender | 48 hr |
| Apr 8, 11:07 AM EDT | Beach Hazards Statement | ILM | Horry | 9 hr |
Nearby
Rip Current Statements in North Carolina, 2026Rip Current Statements in South Carolina, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.