Hurricane Ernesto is increasing the risk of dangerous rip currents along the East Coast this weekend. Officials urge swimmers to stay alert.
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00:00We're looking at different title projections and we're looking at different temperature projections, and today we'll be talking about rip currents, which pose a very serious threat to a lot of swimmers on the East Coast.
00:12The U.S. Coast Guard New York is urging beachgoers to take extra precautions this weekend as Hurricane Ernesto churns up the Atlantic.
00:20We're in hurricane season, so the entire First District Coast Guard, so that's New York to Canada, we batten down the hatches, we are ready to respond in any hurricane situation.
00:31The risks are especially high. Experts are warning that rip currents could appear suddenly and without the usual visual cues, like debris or color differences in the water.
00:41Officials say swim near lifeguards, know the signs, and stay informed. It's tips like these that park rangers in Coney Island have been sharing with those hitting the beach.
00:50We try to let them know how to get out of them, so a lot of people don't realize that rip currents are very narrow currents. You can actually swim to the side and get out quite easily, and then you can swim back to shore.
01:00I actually know someone who passed away from a rip current back when I was in school, so I associate it with that, and I know that they can come out of nowhere and you don't feel it when it's happening, and then all of a sudden you're panicking.
01:16The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Panicking and trying to swim directly back to shore is a natural reaction, but also the most dangerous one. Instead, swim perpendicular to shore until you get out of the current and can angle back to shore.
01:31Many people might not even be aware, so it's good to probably spread awareness as much as possible so that people at least know they can take more precautions.
01:41For AccuWeather in Brooklyn, New York, I'm Allie Reed.
01:45For more information, visit www.accuweather.org.