Rip Currents Prompted 200 Rescues in Virginia and North Carolina Over the July Fourth Weekend

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.—Strong rip currents prompted lifeguards to pull about 200 swimmers from the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia and North Carolina over the holiday weekend.
Tom Gill, chief of the Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service, told The Virginian-Pilot that the city’s more than 180 rescues were high even for a holiday weekend.
Mr. Gill said that three of the rescued swimmers were taken to hospitals for treatment after appearing to have inhaled water.
Virginia Beach lifeguards had been flying red flags to warn of dangerous rip currents. But it was difficult to keep people out of the water given the hot weather, Mr. Gill said….