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A rip current (or just rip) is a specific type of water current that can occur near beaches where waves break. A rip is a strong, localized, and narrow current of water that moves directly away from the shore by cutting through the lines of breaking waves, like a river flowing out to sea.
What causes rip currents? Rip currents are caused by the interaction of waves, tides, and underwater topography. When waves break unevenly, the water flows back out to sea in concentrated channels ...
A rip current statement is a warning statement issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when there is a high threat of rip currents due to weather and ocean conditions. [ 1 ] The statement usually contains some detail about when and roughly where the rip currents are most likely to be forming.
In the United States, rip currents claim about 100 lives annually.
Here are some things to know about rip currents: What is a rip current? Rip currents are narrow columns of water flowing rapidly away from the beach, like a swift stream within the ocean. They don't pull swimmers under water, but can carry them out a fair distance from shore. Low spots along the beach, or areas near jetties or piers, are often ...
Rip currents are one of the most dangerous beach hazards, killing roughly 100 Americans per year. Here's how to identify them and stay safe over the July 4 holiday. ... If you must enter the water ...
Rip current in the ocean. Rip currents are often very difficult to spot with one's bare eyes, take caution in any body of water. The surf zone can contain dangerous rip currents: strong local currents which flow offshore and pose a threat to swimmers. Rip-current outlooks use the following set of qualifications:
A rip is a strong current running out to sea, which can quickly drag people and debris away from the shallows of the shoreline and into deeper water. They can reach speeds of 4 to 5mph - faster ...