Rip Current — Eastern Cape May, New Jersey

2008-07-12 to 2008-07-16 · Eastern Cape May, New Jersey

Wider weather episode

Enhanced rip currents caused by swells from Hurricane Bertha resulted in three deaths along the New Jersey coast on the weekend of July 12th and 13th. The rip currents and strong surf caused many water rescues and led to bathing restrictions. The highest surf was reported on Sunday the 13th as waves averaged 5 to 6 feet along the shore. Conditions started to improve on the 14th where some swimmers were allowed to go back into the water, although enhanced rip current risks were reported for a couple more days.

On July 12th, a 51-year-old man drowned off of Atlantic City (Atlantic County). He was caught in a rip current. The beach patrol reached him by boat where he grabbed a rescue line. He was able to hold onto the line and brought to the side of the boat, but suddenly lost consciousness and died. On the evening of July 13th, three male friends swam to a buoy about 100 yards off the Wildwood Beach. They were caught in a rip current. A 36-year-old male was pulled from the water unconscious and pronounced dead. Another 28-year-old male was missing and presumed dead. Rescuers could not find him. Over the weekend of the 12th and 13th, the Atlantic City Beach Patrol alone had to rescue 57 swimmers. Long Beach Township (Ocean County) beach patrols made about half of their entire water rescues for the beach season during the week of July 12th through the 18th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 124477. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.