Beach season is officially here and many people will visit Corolla beaches this year. While fun should be a priority, so should beach safety. Currituck County Emergency Management, Corolla Beach Rescue, and the National Weather Service are reminding the public of the following safety tips:
- Be aware of rip currents and warning flags; if in doubt, don’t go out
- Stay alert to changing weather, wave and tide conditions
- If on-duty, swim near a lifeguard
- Never swim alone and always ensure a flotation device is with you
- Do not dive in headfirst to avoid major injury
- Take sun and heat precautions
Corolla Beach Rescue Lifeguards are on-duty, daily, during the summer from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, and each day lifeguard tower chalkboards are updated with current beach and ocean conditions. Beachgoers can visit a lifeguard stand for valuable insight on local conditions. Tower locations can be found at http://www.corollabeachrescue.com/Home/TowerMap.
When red flags are up, please do not enter the ocean. If an emergency occurs, dial 911 immediately and most importantly – know your location on the beach.
To get the latest beach weather forecast, including rip current levels, please visit https://www.weather.gov/beach/akq. You can also receive beach-related notifications straight to your phone by texting SAFECOROLLA to 888-777.
If you have any questions, contact Currituck County Emergency Management at 252-232-2115.