The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey has issued a Rip Current Statement effective the evening of June 18, lasting until 8:00 PM EDT.
The alert was put in place at 5:25 PM EDT, giving beachgoers and coastal visitors a heads-up about the potential for dangerous rip currents along the shoreline during those hours.
Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that can pull swimmers away from shore quickly. Even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by these conditions.
Authorities advise anyone at the beach to swim only in areas monitored by lifeguards, and to stay out of the water if rip current conditions are present. If caught in a rip current, experts recommend swimming parallel to the shore rather than fighting the current head-on.
Residents and visitors planning to spend time at the beach this evening should remain aware of current conditions and heed any posted warnings or instructions from lifeguards and beach patrol personnel.
