BEAUFORT, S.C. — Rough water is pounding the Beaufort County coast this weekend, and the National Weather Service office in Charleston has the county under a high surf advisory that runs until 5 p.m. Monday.
Breakers in the surf zone could reach 4 to 6 feet. The weather service also lists a high rip current risk through Sunday evening, along with some beach erosion, so swimmers without much experience are urged to stay out of the ocean and anyone who goes in should stay close to a lifeguard.
A coastal flood advisory for Beaufort and coastal Jasper counties is in place until 10 a.m. Sunday. Up to a foot of saltwater could cover low ground along the shoreline and tidal creeks, enough to put water over some roads.
The morning high tide was expected about 7:44 a.m. at Fort Pulaski, and flooding is most likely in the one to two hours on either side of it. Drivers should plan for detours, steer clear of barricades and never drive into water when they cannot tell how deep it is.
Anyone pulled away from shore by a rip current should float, stay calm and swim parallel to the beach before heading back in.
Filed under: Beaufort SC Weather News