NC Governor Proclaims Rip Current Preparedness Week June 7-13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Katie Mosher, 919-515-9069, katie_mosher@ncsu.edu

Posted Wednesday, June 3, 2015. For more on rip current research and safety, see these earlier news releases: Rip Current Safety Highlighted for Summer Beach Season; Beach Safety: Rip Current Tips and Educational Materials.

As in past years with the traditional start of the summer vacation season, North Carolina Sea Grant and National Weather Service offices in North Carolina, along with ocean rescue teams and beach communities up and down our coast are proud to be continuing partners promoting rip current safety.

In the state of North Carolina, Gov. Pat McCrory has proclaimed June 7-13, 2015 as “RIP CURRENT PREPAREDNESS WEEK.”

“North Carolina’s beaches are some of our state’s most treasured assets and draw millions of visitors each year,” McCrory notes. “While we want to encourage as many people as possible to visit our beautiful coast, we also want everyone to be safe. When swimming on the beach, be sure to look out for rip currents and know the proper safety precautions.”

Read the announcement here. The text of the May 20, 2015 signed proclamation follows:

RIP CURRENT PREPAREDNESS WEEK
2015
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, National Weather Service offices in coastal North Carolina have recorded one fatality in North Carolina due to rip currents along our coast so far in 2015, and a total of at least 58 deaths since 2000; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Lifesaving Association reports 80 percent of all ocean rescues are related to rip currents; and

WHEREAS, millions of North Carolina citizens and visitors enjoy the ocean beaches each season, and inexperienced swimmers on unguarded beaches need to be especially aware of the hazard of rip currents; and

WHEREAS, people are more likely to protect themselves when they know what to do when they are affected by rip currents; and

WHEREAS, local lifeguards, the National Weather Service, North Carolina Sea Grant and North Carolina beach communities partner together to promote rip current safety through signs and other educational materials and programs, along with rip current forecasts, research and the online portal: ripcurrents.noaa.gov;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAT McCRORY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 7-13, 2015 as “RIP CURRENT PREPAREDNESS WEEK” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord two thousand and fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

Download the proclamation here.

To learn more about rip currents and how to stay safe this summer at the beach or seashore, visit: http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/.

North Carolina Sea Grant has resources and rip currents products available as well. To learn more, visit www.ncseagrant.org and search for “rip currents.”

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North Carolina Sea Grant: Your link to research and resources for a healthier coast