THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100472
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER CHRISTMAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
The bright red ``NO SWIMMING'' flags were fluttering, but despite the warnings, local beach rescue squads spent the past three days plucking risk-takers from the treacherous surf.
Since Monday, easterly winds have produced heavy surf conditions, debris and rip currents - strong, narrow surface currents that flow outward from the shore.
But some swimmers refuse to heed the warnings, said Harry Seymour, public safety director for Dare County.
``That water is mean,'' Seymour said. ``It's got some terrible rips in it. When you see the red flags with white letters, you don't go swimming. Pure and simple - it's dangerous.''
On Wednesday, lifeguards pulled numerous swimmers from the ocean in Nags Head, said Kevin Zorc, deputy chief of the Nags Head Fire Department.
``People need to understand, we are not out here to ruin their vacations,'' Zorc said. ``Our job is to check the conditions and take action with respect to safety. We know it's tough, especially for people on vacation, to stay out of the water. We want to be out there ourselves, but it's too dangerous.
``When people go out there, they're not only risking their lives, but their putting our staff at risk.''
Four people who were taken to Outer Banks Medical Center for surf injuries in Nags Head were transported to Chesapeake General Hospital for further attention, according to a medical center spokeswoman.
Bob Gabriel, president of Lifeguard Beach Service, estimated his lifeguards made at least 20 rescues on Wednesday because people ignored the red flags.
``People see the big waves and want to go out on their rafts,'' Gabriel said. ``When the wind turns from northeast to east - and that's what we saw here - there is tremendous tidal pressure,'' Gabriel said. ``Tremendous volumes of water push up to the beaches and this creates a very hazardous situation.''
Gabriel predicted water conditions could worsen today if stronger winds persist. ILLUSTRATION: Color Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
James Davis, 23, a lifeguard with Nags Head Ocean Rescue, raises a
red flag to warn swimmers of the Outer Banks' dangerous ocean
conditions. The beaches there have been closed for three days.
by CNB