Is it safe to swim off the Grand Strand after a hurricane? Here’s what to know
The weather may look calm and peaceful after a hurricane. With little wind and no rain, it may be tempting to go back to the beach before it gets too gold. But is it safe to go swimming? Are there rip currents after the storm? Or debris in the water?
Here’s what you need to know.
Rip currents
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Victoria Olivia, rip currents can last for days, even weeks, after a hurricane. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water that can pull even the most experienced swimmers away from the shore. 80% of beach rescues are due to rip currents.
If you’re going to the beach, be sure to check on beach conditions at CheckMyBeach.com. You can also use Myrtle Beach’s flag system which notifies beach-goers of current water conditions and any potential threats. Here is what each flag means:
A double-red flag means the ocean is closed to the public, restricting any swimming.
A single-red flag indicates hazardous conditions, such as strong waves and currents.
A yellow flag signals medium hazards.
A green flag means conditions are safe
A blue flag signals the presence of dangerous marine life, such as a high number of jellyfish.
Be advised that, depending on the month, there may not be many lifeguards still on the beach, so swimmers should take extra care when going out because help might not be immediately available.
Watch out for debris
In the past, strong storms such as hurricanes have damaged piers along the Grand Strand. Debris from damaged piers can be floating in the water and may wash up on the shore for days after a storm rolls through.
City of Myrtle Beach spokesman Mark Kruea advises that swimmers should take extra care considering the debris from the piers and anything else the storm surge might have dragged out, including debris from damanged homes and businesses due to storm surges.
“Be careful if you do swim,” Kruea says. “There may still be some debris out there. Just use great caution.”
This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 4:07 PM.
