Red flags fly Thursday due to powerful surf, deadly rip currents caused by Hurricane Earl

A red flag flying in Kill Devil Hills. [Courtesy Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue]

Red flags are currently flying along the beach due to life-threatening rip currents and large breaking waves. This is being caused by distant Hurricane Earl.

The local National Weather Service Office is predicting that there will be an extended period of life-threatening rip currents through this weekend and likely into early next week.

Red flags mean NO SWIMMING! Stay safe, STAY OUT OF THE OCEAN! Entering the ocean not only puts your life at risk, but the lives of our ocean rescue personnel. And with limited staffing, help may not be able to get to those that enter the water and find themselves in danger in time.

[NOAA]

.