Millions of Americans heading to the beach before school starts were warned about dangerous swells and rip currents generated by Tropical Storm Ernesto along the Atlantic coast. The National Hurricane Center issued a warning for “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” advising beachgoers to stay out of the water if lifeguards recommend it. Ernesto, with winds of 70 mph, was heading north-northeast and expected to strengthen, potentially affecting the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada.
At least two deaths were attributed to Ernesto as two men drowned off Hilton Head Island. New York City and New Jersey issued swimming bans and warnings, with dozens of rescues reported. In Rodanthe, North Carolina, a coastal house collapsed into the Atlantic Ocean, with other homes at risk of collapse. The debris added to the danger for swimmers, prompting warnings from Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue.
Rip currents are narrow, fast-moving currents that flow away from the shore, reaching speeds of up to 5.5 mph. They are caused by disruptions in the ocean floor, creating a powerful outward current. If caught in a rip current, swimmers should remain calm, float, and tread water until they can escape or are rescued. The warning about the dangers of rip currents was emphasized in the midst of the tropical storm’s impact along the Atlantic coast, urging beachgoers to prioritize their safety and heed the advice of lifeguards.
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