Dangerous Rip Currents Expected Thursday

Heading to the beach? Dangerous rip currents are expected on Thursday.

There is a high rip current risk through Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Surf heights of two- to four-feet are expected.

SEE RELATED STORY: WATCH: Rip Currents: How To Spot Them, How To Survive Them

Here’s some information and tips from the weather service:

What is a rip current?

• A powerful channel of water that flows quickly away from shore
• They occur most often at low spots or at breaks in the sandbar, and near structures, like jetties and piers.

Precautions:

• Only swim in lifeguarded areas
• Pay attention to flags and warning signs

What to do if you get caught in a rip current:

• Yell for help
• Remain calm
• Do not exhaust yourself - do not try to swim directly against a rip current
• Stay afloat while waiting for help
• To swim out of a rip, swim parallel to shore until you are away from the force of the rip current. Then swim toward the beach.

Photo via Twitter, @NWSNewYorkNY