CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - A waterspout formed just off the coast of Emerald Isle. Luckily, it never reached shore; however, dangerous high tides and rip currents are approaching due to Tropical Storm Imelda.

“We went ahead and made that determination to go to red flags. The data that’s out there is showing that we’re going to have that long period of swells coming to shore,” said Emerald Isle Fire Chief William Matthias.

The town issued a moderate risk of rip currents along the coast on Monday and anticipated that the surf zone would become increasingly dangerous throughout the day.

“Rather than being late in making that call for red flags, we wanted to be preventative and get those red flags out there and let everyone know,” Matthias said.

Despite the warning, surfers are out rid

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