Rip Current in Washington
Every rip current event the National Weather Service has filed in Washington, year by year, with the most significant episodes. A narrow, fast current flowing away from the beach that caused a drowning or rescue.
The most significant on the map
The most significant rip current episodes in Washington.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 8
- Deaths
- 7
- Injuries
- 2
- Damage
- None recorded
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Rip Current in Washington, February 2, 2018Surf was relatively benign for the time of year, as seas were generally around 5 ft with dominant wave period around 8 to 9 seconds.
- Rip Current in Washington, July 3, 2014Two siblings playing in the shore near Boldtad Beach was caught in a rip that dragged them out to sea. The older sibling drowned, and the younger survived, but was hospitalized.
- Rip Current in Washington, May 22, 2016A young girl playing on the beach was swept into deep water likely by a rip current and drowned.
- Rip Current in Washington, July 27 to 28, 2007A boogie boarder recreating in the the surf zone near Long Beach, WA drown after he was pulled out to sea by a rip tide. The Coast Guard and local Search and Rescue folks were called after the boy was reported missing, but was unable to locate him.
- Rip Current in Washington, July 26, 2014A group of eight people were caught in a rip current near Ocean Shores. They all eventually escaped to shore, but one person went back in to the water to help others. He was then swept out to sea and became missing, presumed drowned.
- Rip Current in Washington, May 31, 2021A 14 year old male was swept out to sea while swimming near Long Beach, WA. United States Coast Guard performed search and rescue, but has since suspended the search.
- Rip Current in Washington, July 3, 2011A man was suspected of drowning in the ocean off the South Washington coast near the community of Seaview, Washington.
- Rip Current in Washington, September 7, 2016A woman presumably drowned while swimming along the coast in Long Beach, WA. The US Coast Guard called off the search after 24 hours. The woman's body was never recovered and presumed to have drown. Her boyfriend who was with her at the time said she was swept out to sea.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.