Another beach hazard statement issued for coastal Horry, Georgetown counties

A beach hazard statement, warning beach goers about strong wind gusts and longshore currents, has been issued Saturday by the National Weather Service in Wilmington, N.C. for coastal Horry, Georgetown, and parts of southeast North Carolina.

The hazard statement is in effect through Saturday evening, weather authorities said. Winds are expected to increase to 20 to 25 mph with occasional higher gusts and as a result a longshore current will develop, according to weather service officials.

A beach hazard statement was issued Friday with the same warnings for Horry, Georgetown, and Brunswick, N.C.; however, Saturday’s warning highlights coastal Horry, Georgetown, New Hanover, N.C., and Pender, N.C. as hazardous areas.

A longshore current is an ocean current that moves parallel to shore and can cause significant beach erosion.

Caution should be used when in or near the water, weather authorities said.

This story was originally published April 15, 2016 at 6:41 AM with the headline "Another beach hazard statement issued for coastal Horry, Georgetown counties."