The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey has issued a Rip Current Statement in effect from 12:25 PM through 8:00 PM EDT on Wednesday, June 18.
Rip currents are powerful, fast-moving channels of water that flow away from shore and can quickly pull swimmers out to sea. They are one of the leading hazards for beachgoers along the Atlantic coast.
Authorities urge anyone heading to the beach to be aware of current conditions and to swim only in areas monitored by lifeguards. If caught in a rip current, experts advise swimmers not to fight the current by swimming directly back to shore, but instead to swim parallel to the shoreline until free of the current, then make their way back to the beach.
The statement is in effect through the evening hours. Residents and visitors planning beach trips are encouraged to check the latest forecasts from the National Weather Service before heading out.
