20 rip current-related rescues reported on Memorial Day at NC beaches

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. — Lifeguards in North Carolina reported 20 rip current-related rescues Monday, National Weather Service Forecaster Dave Loewenthal told CNN.

Ten rescues were reported at Wrightsville Beach and another 10 were reported at Carolina Beach, Loewenthal said. Both beaches are near Wilmington on the southeastern North Carolina coast and had temperatures in the mid-80s and low-90s Monday.

[ALSO READ: Horrified NC mom watches son, boyfriend drown as rip current drags them out to sea]

The beaches were packed with swimmers on a very hot Memorial Day, Loewenthal said, adding that rescues might have been necessary partially due to the crowded conditions.

The beaches were only at moderate, or yellow, risk for rip currents Monday.

"It's so crowded, if it was a normal day they probably wouldn't have had as many rescues," Loewenthal said.

There have already been two deaths on the North Carolina coast during the long weekend, and rip currents were believed to be a factor in each drowning.

[Rip currents along coast create dangerous conditions]

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water, according to the US National Ocean Service. They are common on the East, Gulf and West coasts of the US and some of the shores of the Great Lakes. The service said about 100 people are killed annually by rip currents.

The service says the best way to escape from a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore into an area of a weaker current then swim back to shore at an angle.

In the video at the top of this webpage, meteorologist Jaclyn Shearer explains the risks associated with rip currents.

CNN