NHCo. Officials Urge Surfers to Wait

By Michelle Bliss

09-02-10 – Even though Hurricane Earl has come and gone, New Hanover County officials are urging residents to avoid the surf for one more day.

The winds and rain have passed, but dangerous rip currents are still underway. New Hanover County Emergency Management Director Warren Lee says it can take 12 to 24 hours for rip currents to subside after a storm, so swimmers and surfers should wait until tomorrow to dive back in.

"Every time someone takes that chance and goes into the surf, they're also risking the life of a rescuer who may have to come and get them."

Lee says county officials are now on the lookout for other storms that are lining up off the coast of Africa and in the Atlantic basin.