Rip Currents Triggered by Hurricane Ernesto Claim 2 Lives in South Carolina
On the morning of a seemingly serene Friday, a 65-year-old man and a 73-year-old man lost their lives in South Carolina after they were caught in rip currents along Hilton Head Island. The deadly rip currents were brought about by the force of Hurricane Ernesto, which is currently brewing in the Atlantic.
Tragic Wave of Events
According to officers from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the distress call of a possible drowning was received at 10:28 a.m. Upon responding to the emergency, the officers found beach patrol and paramedics attempting CPR on a 65-year-old man. Despite their heroic efforts, the man did not survive.
In an unfortunate turn of events that echoed the morning’s tragedy, the officers were summoned for another drowning at 3:22 p.m. Life-saving measures were being performed on a 73-year-old man who, just like his predecessor, did not survive the incident. “Both of them, it appears, got caught up in the rip currents,” stated Capt. Angelo, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
High Alert on Eastern Coast Beaches
These shocking incidents have placed all beaches along the Eastern Coast on high alert due to the powerful Hurricane Ernesto churning in the Atlantic. The National Weather Service has reported a high risk of rip currents for Hilton Head Island on Friday, extending into Saturday, with surf heights expected to reach a dangerous 3 to 4 feet.
Advice for Beach Visitors
For those planning to visit the Hilton Head beaches this weekend, Capt. Angelo has some astute advice. His first suggestion is to pay close attention to the beach patrol instructions. “When they tell you to swim in a certain area, swim in that specific area,” he advised. Coupled with this, he also stressed the importance of acknowledging one’s swimming limitations.
In the unfortunate event of getting caught in a rip current, Angelo suggests not to attempt swimming directly back to shore. Instead, he recommends letting the current carry you further offshore while you try swimming parallel to the shore. “And hopefully, you will get out of the rip current area,” he added, closing his advice with words of varied assurance and caution.
Bracing for the Impact of Hurricane Ernesto
As Hurricane Ernesto continues its path along the Atlantic Ocean, coastal communities are bracing for potential impacts, with the highest concerns being storm surges, heavy rainfall, and lethal rip currents. The events of August 18 serve as a forewarning of the hurricane’s destructive capabilities, even when the storm is located offshore.
