The average annual death toll from rip currents is more than 100 in the United States. While a majority of the rip current drownings this summer have been in the Atlantic Ocean, the danger is also present elsewhere. The National Weather Service issues advisories by city, identifying the rip current risk as low, moderate or high. The key fact to remember is that rip currents, powerful as they are, tend to be narrow. If you see someone else caught in a rip current, don’t attempt a rescue yourself; often, would-be rescuers end up drowning, as in two of the episodes in North Carolina in June.

Source: New York Times July 31, 2017 20:26 UTC