High Surf Advisory: National Weather Service Warns Beach Goers About Dangers

NEWPORT, RI — All along Rhode Island's South Coast swimmers and beach goers are being cautioned about big waves, rip tides and the risk of being swept away. The National Weather Service in Taunton, Mass., issued the high surf advisory at 4:14 a.m. It stays in effect until 8 p.m.

Here is the advisory:

SURF AND RIP CURRENT RISK...SEAS UP TO 7 FEET JUST OFFSHORE WILL RESULT IN HIGH SURF AND AN INCREASED RISK FOR DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS.

The advisory goes on to note that rip currents are sometimes mistakenly called an undertow. But the rip current is a "strong but narrow current of water flowing from the beach to the surf zone." It can sweep swimmers out to deep water. If caught in one, the recommendation is to swim parallel to the shore until the swimmer is past the current and then swim back to shore.

The risk of being swept away also applies to people coming down to look at the waves, the weather service said.

"Individual waves may be more than twice the average wave height... which can sweep a person into the water from what seems to be a safe viewing area." Therefore, the weather service is suggesting people keep a distance and heed the lifeguards.