Weather officials issue coastal flooding and rip current warnings Tuesday

Coastal flooding advisory and rip current warnings were issued for Tuesday by weather officials.

Horry, Georgetown, Brunswick, N.C., New Hanover, N.C., and Pender, N.C. counties are all under the flood advisory from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to forecasters with the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C.

The high rip current risk is in effect for those areas from 8 a.m. Tuesday into the evening, authorities said.

Tides could produce minor coastal flooding around high tide, which is expected about 8:45 a.m., officials said.

Minor flooding is most likely to occur within two hours before and after high tide with rip currents predicted within a couple hours of low tide, which will be at 3 p.m., according to weather authorities.

Coastal flooding could cause saltwater inundation of low areas near beaches, including: tidal creeks, inlets, and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Officials warned that some low-lying streets may become inaccessible from high water for an hour or longer around high tide time.

Officials also said beachgoers should be cautious of rip currents, which are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. Ocean swimmers should monitor lifeguard activity and beach patrol flags and signs before getting into the water.

If you are caught in a rip current, do not panic. Swim parallel to shore to get out of the force of the current before trying to swim back to shore, forecasters said.

This story was originally published September 29, 2015 at 7:37 AM with the headline "Weather officials issue coastal flooding and rip current warnings Tuesday."