International, national and regional scientists gathered this past week on the Outer Banks to develop better and more accurate ways to predict rip currents. As this article by Michelle Wagner that appeared in the Outer Banks Voice reports, as more information is studied, the ability to more accurately predict where and when the deadly ocean currents will appear has improved.
“The waves aren’t that big. The water looks calm.
It must be safe.
Visitors to the Outer Banks might make that assumption as they cross over the dunes and look at the water. Most are unaware that rip currents can happen in seemingly calm conditions with 2- to 3-foot waves.
These powerful seaward channels accounted for at least seven deaths in North Carolina last year and on average, 100 fatal drownings annually nationwide.
Rip currents are the number-one public safety risk on beaches in the United States, according to the National Weather Service.
That fact is what drew local, state and international rip current specialists to the Outer Banks last week to continue to hammer away at new education campaigns and explore innovative data-gathering techniques.”
[box type=”bio”] To learn more about rip currents and read the rest of the story, click HERE.[/box]