The Catastrophic Power of Hurricane Helene

Coastwatch

image: broken road, Hendersonville area in North Carolina.

Oct 17, 2024

Coastwatch Covers Hurricane Helene’s Record-Breaking Strength

The Fall 2024 issue of North Carolina Sea Grant’s award-winning Coastwatch magazine explores the catastrophic power of Hurricane Helene. The print edition of the Fall issue was already at press when Helene devastated western North Carolina, but the NC State Climate Office’s Corey Davis provides context for the record-breaker in his special online-only feature about the hurricane’s strength...

Apr 9, 2024

Coastwatch Covers New Findings on Sea Level Rise and Coastal NC Land Elevations

The Spring 2024 issue of Coastwatch magazine reports new findings that show accelerating sea level rise is outpacing increases in land elevations along coastal North Carolina. As a result, the state faces an unavoidable loss of over 98,000 acres of saltmarsh by 2100.

image: Coastwatch cover -- coastal NC aerial view.

Jan 25, 2024

Coastwatch Explores the Protective Power of Living Shorelines, Why Water Temperatures Matter, and Much More

The Winter 2024 edition of the award-winning Coastwatch magazine explores the protective power of living shorelines, why water temperatures matter, and how a free mapping tool is helping small towns monitor water quality.

Sep 26, 2023

Coastwatch Covers Accelerating Sea Level Rise, a New Safety Alert on PFAS, and Much More

The Fall 2023 issue of North Carolina Sea Grant’s award-winning Coastwatch magazine features new research showing accelerating sea level rise on the Southeast and Gulf coasts, a new safety alert on PFAS in the Cape Fear River, and an in-depth look at environmental justice and disaster recovery. The latest edition also includes the story of a tagged shark that resurfaced 23 years later, as well as a look at prescribed fires and much more.

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.