Rip Current — Sussex, Delaware

2005-09-05 to 2005-09-06 · near Dewey Beach, Sussex, Delaware

Wider weather episode

Rip currents associated with the northeast flow around a high pressure system building into New England caused the death of a 27-year-old man in Dewey Beach. He was swimming on the unguarded beach with 3 or 4 friends off of McKinley Avenue around 645 p.m. EDT that evening when he was captured by the rip current. Off-duty lifeguards rushed into the water to try to rescue him. Large waves (as high as 7 feet) and strong rip currents made it difficult to reach him. He was unconscious when he was pulled from the water about 730 p.m. EDT. He never regained consciousness.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5474157. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.