New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The National Weather Service in Taunton has issued a high surf advisory which is in effect until 8 pm EDT this evening.
* location: ocean exposed beaches along the south coast.
* timing: through 8 pm this evening.
* 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.
Precautionary/preparedness actions
A rip current, sometimes mistakenly called an undertow, is a strong but narrow current of water flowing from the beach to the surf zone. It can rapidly carry a swimmer into deeper water and exhaust an individual trying to swim against it.
If you are a poor swimmer and are caught in a rip current…swim parallel to the beach until out of its pull then swim back to shore. Another means of escape for good swimmers is to ride the current out until it dissipates then swim back to shore outside of the rip current.
Do not attempt to swim directly into the rip current it can exhaust and drown even the strongest swimmer.
Heed the advice of the beach patrol and swim only at guarded beaches. Be especially cautious near piers and jetties…where rip currents can be enhanced.
In addition…viewers of large surf should stay in safe areas well away from possible splashover. Individual waves may be more than twice the average wave height which can sweep a person into the water from what may seem to be a safe viewing area. Falling into turbulent and sometimes rocky waters can result in injury that reduces the chance of survival.
