Beach Hazards Statement covers southeastern NC and northeastern SC surf zones through Tuesday evening
Update October 8 at 2:22 AM EDT: NWS Wilmington re-issued the Coastal Flood Advisory for Inland New Hanover County NC through 10:00 AM EDT Thursday. NWS Charleston SC issued a separate Coastal Flood Advisory for Coastal Colleton and Charleston counties through 9:00 AM EDT Thursday.
Update, Wednesday October 7 at 2:27 PM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC issued Coastal Flood Advisories for Coastal Georgetown County SC and Coastal Horry County SC, in effect through 8:00 PM EDT Wednesday, October 7. A separate Coastal Flood Advisory for Inland New Hanover County NC is in effect through 10:00 PM EDT Wednesday. Minor coastal flooding is expected at high tide cycles in low-lying coastal areas, boat ramp approaches, and inlet margins in the Pawleys Island, Garden City Beach, and Myrtle Beach coastal areas. Low-lying inland areas of New Hanover County also face minor high-tide inundation through Wednesday evening. Surf and wade anglers along the SC Grand Strand should be aware of elevated water at ramp approaches and inlet margins through this evening. Current Wilmington CWA products are at weather.gov/ilm.
NWS Wilmington NC issued a Beach Hazards Statement at 8:13 PM EDT Monday for four coastal county zones along the southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina coast. The statement covers Coastal Pender and Coastal New Hanover counties in North Carolina (the Topsail Beach, Surf City, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach area) and Coastal Horry and Coastal Georgetown counties in South Carolina (the Myrtle Beach, Garden City Beach, and Pawleys Island area). The statement expires at 8:00 PM EDT Tuesday, October 6. NWS Wilmington cited strong longshore currents and moderate rip current risk driven by elevated swell and onshore winds from the developing coastal low.
October is active for fall red drum and bluefish along this stretch, with fish working the beachfront, sloughs, and inlets as water temperatures drop. Wading anglers in the surf face the most direct hazard from strong longshore currents. A current carrying force enough to push a swimmer downcurrent can sweep a wading angler off footing in knee-to-waist water. The Beach Hazards Statement runs through Tuesday evening; Wednesday is the earliest opportunity to reassess beach conditions after the statement expires.
Update, Wednesday October 7 at 7:39 PM EDT: The Coastal Flood Advisories for Coastal Georgetown and Coastal Horry counties in SC expired at 8:00 PM EDT as scheduled. NWS Wilmington NC re-issued the Coastal Flood Advisory for Inland New Hanover County NC at 7:39 PM EDT, expiring 10:00 PM EDT. Minor high-tide inundation in low-lying inland areas of New Hanover County continues through 10:00 PM EDT. That advisory is the only active coastal flood product from this system in the Wilmington CWA. Current NWS Wilmington products are at weather.gov/ilm.
Update, Thursday October 8 at 2:22 AM EDT: NWS Wilmington NC re-issued the Coastal Flood Advisory for Inland New Hanover County NC overnight, now running through 10:00 AM EDT Thursday. Minor high-tide inundation of low-lying inland areas around Wilmington continues into the Thursday morning tidal cycle. Separately, NWS Charleston SC issued a Coastal Flood Advisory at 2:16 AM EDT Thursday for Coastal Colleton County and Charleston County through 9:00 AM EDT, covering low-lying coastal areas along the ACE Basin margin and around Charleston Harbor. Both advisories reflect the same tidal flooding pattern that has tracked this coastline through the week. Current NWS Wilmington products are at weather.gov/ilm; NWS Charleston products are at weather.gov/chs.
This Beach Hazards Statement covers different county zones from the Rip Current Statement already in effect for parts of the South Carolina and Georgia coast to the south. Both are linked to the same developing coastal system. This is a conditions notice, not a go/no-go call for any individual trip or beach access. NWS Wilmington NC coastal and marine products are at weather.gov/ilm.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.