North Carolina Moderate Beach Hazards Statement | Effective 06/18/2026 17:12

Headline: 
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 18 at 8:12PM EDT until June 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Event: 
Beach Hazards Statement
Urgency: 
Expected
Effective: 
June 18, 2026 - 5:12pm
Expires: 
June 19, 2026 - 5:15am
Description: 
* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves expected, and strong longshore currents in the surf zone. * WHERE...For the dangerous rip currents, large breaking waves, and strong longshore currents, the beaches from Cape Hatteras to Surf City. For the strong longshore currents, the beaches from Oregon Inlet to Cape Hatteras. * WHEN...From 8 AM EDT Friday through Friday evening. * IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water. Dangerous shore break can throw a swimmer or surfer head first into the bottom causing neck and back injuries. Strong longshore currents will create dangerous swimming conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...The most likely time for strong rip currents to occur is a couple hours either side of low tide, which will occur around 5:00 PM Friday.
Instruction: 
Life-threatening rip currents. If caught in a rip current, remain calm. Swim in a direction following the shoreline. If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. Shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach. It is extremely important to protect your head and neck whenever you are in breaking waves by keeping your hands in front of you at all times. Strong longshore currents can sweep swimmers and surfers into rip currents, piers, jetties and other hazardous areas. In many cases, the longshore current is strong enough to prevent swimmers from being able to keep their feet on the bottom making it difficult to return to shore.
Area Description: 
West Carteret; East Carteret; Coastal Onslow; Ocracoke Island; Hatteras Island
Forcast Office: 
NWS Newport/Morehead City NC
Sender: 
w-nws.webmaster@noaa.gov