Myrtle Beach Beach Patrol issued a no-swim advisory first thing Saturday morning, as the National Weather Service predicted a high risk of rip currents along the South Carolina coast.
While Hurricane Bill was positioned well north of the Grand Strand, weather forecasters said the swelling effects from the tropical system would reach the coastline.
Lifeguards posted red flags along different sections of Myrtle Beach, but some beachgoers were confused, as the ocean looked relatively calm on Saturday.
"A lot of times it can be deceiving. A rip current can form on a day when it looks like a lake or a day when it's really rough," said Sgt. Phillip Cain who overseas Myrtle Beach Beach Patrol Services.
For tourists on vacation, having no respite from the heat and sand was a bit of a bummer
"I'd love to go in the water. It's a little bit warm out here. We're not used to it this hot. It's a little tough, but it's OK. We stay close to the water sitting in the chairs and looking for sharks teeth," Said Diane Goncalves of Massachusetts.
Sgt. Cain said no problems had been reported as of mid-afternoon Saturday, and he said the red flag advisories will be lifted as soon as the National Weather Service drops its rip current warnings.
With the elevated risk for rip currents along the South Carolina coast, swimmers need to know how to protect themselves in case they find themselves caught in a rip current.
A rip current happens when the sand underneath the surface forms a channel that pulls water out to sea and it can pull you with it.
If you do get caught in one, don't fight it. Stay calm and swim parallel to the shore.
Once you're out of it, you can swim back to the beach.
