Water Rescues Surge Along Carolina Coast, Tragedy Strikes in Sanford

Over the long holiday weekend, the North Carolina coast saw an average of almost 100 people per day being rescued from rip currents, with a total of 88 water rescues on Saturday and 124 on Sunday. Carolina Beach had the highest number of rescues, followed by Wrightsville Beach and Kure Beach. On Monday, the risk for rip currents rose to high along a stretch of beach between Atlantic Beach and Ocracoke, resulting in 90 rescues. Authorities urge beachgoers to swim at lifeguard-protected beaches, never swim alone, and follow safety instructions to avoid becoming a victim of rip currents.