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Beach Safety is Key to Summer Fun

Beach Safety

image: decrepit bulkhead.

Apr 24, 2026

Bulkheads: Challenges and Tips

Bulkheads have been popular, but these structures come with a number of negatives.
composite image of Coastwatch Spring 2026 cover of lighthouse and beach panorama.

Apr 14, 2026

Coastwatch Explores the NC Oyster Trail and More

The Spring issue of North Carolina Sea Grant’s Coastwatch magazine includes plans for day trips and weekend excursions on the NC Oyster Trail, a new study on blue crabs and their predators, a look at the long-term impacts of lithium mining on water quality, research on strategies for saving cold-stunned sea turtles, and much more.
Hurricane Florence.

Sep 2, 2025

Hurricane Season Is Here

Guidance from NOAA advises people not to focus on a specific storm category. A storm's “scale” only reflects the strongest winds near the center of the storm — not potentially life-threatening flooding from storm surge or rain. 
Aerial view of flooding.

Aug 25, 2023

Safety Matters: Tropical Systems, King Tides and Warm Waters

Residents and visitors to coastal North Carolina should pay attention to safety notices from the local officials and the National Weather Service as the region is already seeing a combination of factors.

This rip current sign provides guidance on swimming safety. It advises swimmers caught in rip currents to 1) relax, because rip currents don’t pull you under; 2) not swim against the current; 3) swim out of the current, then to shore; 4) float or tread water if they can’t escape; 5) yell or wave for assistance if they need help.

Jun 29, 2023

Beach Safety is Key to Summer Fun

If your summer plans include a trip to the NC coast -- or anywhere with a surf zone, including the Great Lakes -- be sure to remember key safety messages from NC Sea Grant and local beach communities, along with the National Weather Service, National Ocean Service and the US Lifesaving Association. Even if you know how to recognize, avoid and if necessary escape a rip current, check these links to help you share messages with friends and family.