As many Americans try to enjoy the last days of summer at the beach ahead of the school year, warnings were issued on Sunday regarding the serious hazards posed by swells from Tropical Storm Ernesto for swimmers along much of the Atlantic coastline.

The National Hurricane Center reported on Sunday that “surf conditions that could be life-threatening, along with rip currents,” are expected to continue for several days, advising beach visitors to stay out of the water if lifeguards issue warnings. The National Weather Service has indicated dangers of rip currents from Maine to Florida.

Ernesto was located nearly 700 miles south of Halifax, Canada, packing maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and was anticipated to gain strength on Sunday. It is currently moving north-northeast at 9 mph and is predicted to pick up speed while shifting towards the east-northeast in the coming days.

The storm has been linked to at least two fatalities: two men drowned on Friday at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Additionally, the hurricane center noted that hazardous surf and rip currents may affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, and parts of Atlantic Canada in the upcoming days.

Latest updates:

∎ The New York City Department of Parks & Recreation has prohibited swimming at beaches in Queens and Brooklyn as of Sunday.

∎ In New Jersey, emergency management officials are advising beachgoers to avoid entering the water when lifeguards are not supervising, urging, “Keep your feet in the sand until lifeguards are on duty!” Numerous rescues have occurred in recent days.

House collapses in Rodanthe, Outer Banks

In Rodanthe, a town located in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue shared images of a coastal house that had been swept into the Atlantic. The agency reported that many other homes are also at risk due to Ernesto’s impacts. They cautioned that debris in the water increases risks for swimmers.

“High risk of rip currents in Rodanthe; waves are significant,” the agency cautioned. “It is not safe to enter the ocean.”

Understanding rip currents

Rip currents are fast-moving, narrow channels of water that flow away from the beach. They usually travel at speeds of 1 to 2 feet per second, but can reach up to 8 feet per second, far quicker than even the fastest Olympic swimmer. These currents are generally no wider than 80 feet.

Typically, when ocean waves crash on the shore, the water naturally returns to the sea in a uniform manner. However, variations in the ocean floor, such as dips near sandbars or surf breaks, interrupt this smooth flow, causing the water to rush through a specific area, creating a powerful rip current. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s important to remain calm—these currents pull you out to sea, not under the water. You should float or tread water until help arrives or you can swim back to shore safely.