It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Emerald Isle, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Emerald Isle, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Emerald Isle, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Emerald Isle, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Update: Find our latest forecast story here. See photos of the damage here.North Carolina’s Outer Banks are bracing for high waves, strong winds and flooding that could close sections of N.C. 12 for days as a powerful Hurricane Erin passes by this week.As of Monday morning, Erin was about 115 miles north northeast of Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos, and about 890 miles south southeast of Cape Hatteras, according to the National Hurricane Center.Several Caribbean islands — including the Turks ...
Update: Find our latest forecast story here. See photos of the damage here.
North Carolina’s Outer Banks are bracing for high waves, strong winds and flooding that could close sections of N.C. 12 for days as a powerful Hurricane Erin passes by this week.
As of Monday morning, Erin was about 115 miles north northeast of Grand Turk Island in the Turks and Caicos, and about 890 miles south southeast of Cape Hatteras, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Several Caribbean islands — including the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas — are expected to face tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and possible flash and urban flooding Monday, Aug. 18 and Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Erin is a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 130 mph. It is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph.
With forecasters calling for waves up to 20 feet in the surf on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 20 and 21, Dare and Hyde counties ordered tourists and residents to leave flood-prone Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
In its announcement Sunday, Hyde County reminded those who might consider riding out the storm that, “It is extremely likely that Hyde County EMS services will not be available in Ocracoke due to Highway 12 being inaccessible. Please take this warning seriously, especially if you have medical issues or are likely to need special care.”
Both counties declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, which is expected to begin traveling north on Monday, on a path that will have the center of the storm passing 200 to 300 miles off the North Carolina coast. By the time Erin gets this far north, it’s expected to have grown larger and stronger with a wind field that will reach all way to shore.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for much of the N.C. coast.
The National Park Service on Monday announced closures at Cape Lookout National Seashore in response to the hurricane. The seashore, Light Station Visitor Center and Keepers Quarters Museum will close at noon Tuesday, according to a press release.
Also, the Island Express Ferry Service will pause service out of Beaufort and Harkers Island beginning Wednesday through Friday.
Erin developed rapidly from a disturbance in the Atlantic to a tropical storm and then a powerful hurricane, with as of Sunday evening, when it was centered north of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The storm knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people there.
The that Erin is expected to move northward over the next couple of days, passing North Carolina Wednesday night and Thursday, before eventually turning to the northeast, away from the U.S. coast.
Hatteras Island, which projects off the coastline, can expect breaking waves of 15 to 20 feet or more in the surf zone as the storm passes, Dare County officials said Sunday.
Local forecasts for other communities along the coast as of Sunday evening were calling for gusty winds on Wednesday and especially Thursday, with gusts up to 26 mph at Carolina Beach, up to 30 mph at Emerald Isle, and up to 42 mph at Hatteras Island.
Beach communities in North Carolina don’t order evacuations lightly, in part because a mandatory evacuation order may trigger travel insurance or rental companies to make partial or full refunds on vacation stays. Dare County officials say they reserve the move for when there is a likely safety threat.
Hatteras and Ocracoke, along with other islands, were ordered to evacuate for Hurricane Isaias in August 2020 and for Dorian in August 2019.
Forecasters have said the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than average. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued its updated forecast earlier this month, calling for 13 to 18 named storms (with winds of 39 mph or greater), with five to 9 becoming hurricanes and two to five becoming major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or greater.
A typical hurricane season brings 14 named storms, including seven hurricanes, three of them major hurricanes. Climate experts have said global warming is contributing to more frequent and more intense storms.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the busiest part of the season from mid-August to mid-October.
Local forecasts show a chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday but otherwise there should no significant effects from the storm this far inland.
This story was produced with financial support from the Hartfield Foundation and Green South Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The N&O maintains full editorial control of the work. If you would like to help support local journalism, please consider signing up for a digital subscription, which you can do here.
EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WITN) - Kids are learning everything there is to know about beach and water safety at summer camps offered in Emerald Isle.This week, the Junior Lifeguard Program is hosting its last of three summer camps this summer.“Just learning the experience and knowing all the things to help yourself and others,” said Deacon Matthias, a camper.The camp is available to children between the ages of 9 and 12 where they can learn what it takes to be a lifeguard. They’re taught about rip currents, o...
EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WITN) - Kids are learning everything there is to know about beach and water safety at summer camps offered in Emerald Isle.
This week, the Junior Lifeguard Program is hosting its last of three summer camps this summer.
“Just learning the experience and knowing all the things to help yourself and others,” said Deacon Matthias, a camper.
The camp is available to children between the ages of 9 and 12 where they can learn what it takes to be a lifeguard. They’re taught about rip currents, ocean wildlife and overall water safety.
Mackenzie Taylor is the lifeguard supervisor and helps out with the camp.
“I love the kids,” said Taylor. “They are always a good time, and to see their excitement really means a lot, so I look forward to it every year.”
While some have been attending the camp for years, it’s the first year for Georgia Long. She says she’s learned a number of new techniques, but the dolphin dive is her favorite.
“I think of a mermaid when I do it and my grandma,” said Long. “She loves mermaids and that stuff. She loves dressing up, so it just reminds me of her.”
Paul Byland says beach safety matters to him, which is why he and the other campers will put what they learn to use when spending time by or in the water.
“I live right next to the beach,” said Byland. “I come a lot with my family, so I want to learn more about safety and how to be safe at the beach.”
At the end of the camp, certificates will be handed out to campers at the pizza party. Thursday marks the last day of the camp.
As recently as late May 2025, a swimmer was injured off the coast of North Carolina’s Sunset Beach. Local authorities estimate the individual’s leg wound was most likely caused by a shark. Though the North Carolina beachgoer required medical attention following the incident, they avoided fatal injury and are expected to make a full recovery. Shark attacks are not common in the state of North Carolina, but this recent incident reminds us that sharks inhabit all waters along the Atlantic coast. Shark bites are possible, even in wai...
As recently as late May 2025, a swimmer was injured off the coast of North Carolina’s Sunset Beach. Local authorities estimate the individual’s leg wound was most likely caused by a shark. Though the North Carolina beachgoer required medical attention following the incident, they avoided fatal injury and are expected to make a full recovery. Shark attacks are not common in the state of North Carolina, but this recent incident reminds us that sharks inhabit all waters along the Atlantic coast. Shark bites are possible, even in waist-deep water, in most areas off the N.C. coast. Case in point: Sunset Beach does not even make this list.
North Carolina has a total of 117 shark attack records, 97 being unprovoked. The Global Shark Attack File includes data about all shark attacks reported, even though scientists couldn’t confirm the circumstances for some incidents. They group the attacks into provoked and unprovoked attacks, incidents involving sea or watercraft disasters, and questionable incidents (noted as “unknown” in this article).
The details about these questionable incidents are unclear – some have not yet been confirmed to have involved a shark. At the same time, some do not have enough evidence to indicate the true cause of death: drowning or the shark attack. While 100%-accurate data is difficult to discern, these statistics help outline a general image of where and how often shark attacks occur in North Carolina. Let’s look at some overall statistics and then find out more about the 8 North Carolina places with the most shark attacks!
This post was updated on July 13, 2025 to include the presumed shark attack at Sunset Beach, North Carolina.
Emerald Isle has the highest number of shark attacks in North Carolina—10. Fortunately, none were fatal. People involved were either swimming or surfing. Eight episodes were unprovoked, and two did not present sufficient information to be categorized.
The first attack on Emerald Isle happened on September 25, 1971, to a surfer named J. Homer, aged 17.
Shark attacks in the region started being more common in 2000. On August 21, 2000, a man was bitten by a shark that almost severed his hand. Other attacks happened in 2002, 2008, 2016, and 2020. The last reported attack occurred on October 21, 2020, and has not yet been confirmed to have involved a shark.
Luckily, none of the nine shark attacks at North Topsail Beach was fatal. The first occurred on September 15, 2001. Dale Fulcher, Jr., a 16-year-old boy, was surfing when a shark bit his foot.
Another incident occurred a few years later, on September 5, 2005, when a bull shark severely lacerated Elizabeth Gardner’s calf. Other attacks occurred in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011. Two of them took place in Surf City, Topsail Island.
The last attack at North Topsail Beach involved a 43-year-old woman named Tracy Fasick. She was swimming when a shark bit her, leaving lacerations to her right ankle and calf. The incident occurred on July 8, 2012.
The first suspected attack at Wrightsville Beach occurred on October 8, 1989. It took place between Wrightsville Beach & Carolina Beach in New Hanover County. Supposedly, Doug Nunnally, a 49-year-old man, was attacked by a shark while diving. The attack was fatal. However, the shark’s involvement is only suspected, not yet confirmed.
Other incidents happened in 1995, 2000, 2002, and 2010. The last shark attack at Wrightsville Beach occurred on August 17, 2011, but few details are known about it, including whether a shark was involved in the incident. However, the evidence says that the victim was a 12-year-old boy who suffered abrasions to his left hand.
Ocracoke might be the North Carolina region with the highest number of fatal attacks—4 out of 7.
The first fatal North Carolina shark attack happened in this area, sometime between 1900 and 1905, and involved a member of the Coast Guard. The following fatal incident occurred in July 1905 to another Coast Guard member.
Other incidents occurred in 1945, 1988, and 2011. On July 1, 2015, Andrew Costello, a 68-year-old man, was bitten by a 6-7-foot-long shark and suffered injuries to his torso, hip, lower leg, and hands. The man was swimming at Lifeguard Beach when the shark attacked him.
Most of the attacks at Ocean Isle involved children, except one in 2019 that involved a 19-year-old man.
The first shark attack at Ocean Isle, Brunswick County, occurred on August 10, 1980. The incident involved a 10-year-old girl called Susan Waters. A shark bit her knee and lower leg while she was wading. Another child named Brooklyn Daniel, aged 6, was attacked under the same circumstances on June 18, 2012.
There is another record from 2012 of a child being bitten by a shark, but shark involvement has not yet been confirmed.
The last attack at Ocean Isle occurred on June 27, 2021, when a 7-year-old girl had her calf bitten by a shark while swimming.
All shark attacks at Masonboro Island and Masonboro Inlet were unprovoked. The first happened on August 19, 1986. J. McCorley was surfing when a shark bit his hand.
Almost ten years later, Michael Greenwood was swimming in the area when a shark bit his left arm. Other attacks happened in 2003, 2006, and 2014.
The last one occurred on August 24, 2014, to Miller Diggs, who suffered lacerations to her left foot. The shark measured 4 feet long.
Holden Beach has six records of shark attacks, all unprovoked and none fatal. The first attack in the area happened on June 30, 1940, when a 10-foot shark lacerated William T. Dye’s thigh while fishing.
Sixty years later, another shark attacked a human at Holden Beach. A gray-colored shark measuring 6 feet long attacked Tim Poynter, a 14-year-old boy, while surfing. Luckily, the animal left only minor injuries.
Three other incidents took place in 2005, 2009, and 2011. The last attack at Holden Beach occurred on July 11, 2013, and involved Barbara Corey, a 63-year-old woman whose right foot was bitten while walking through the water.
Among the places in North Carolina with the most shark attacks, Carolina Beach has the highest number of shark attacks that happened under unclear circumstances.
The first occurred on October 8, 1989, between Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach in New Hanover County. Doug Nunnally, a 49-year-old man, was diving late afternoon. He was found dead later, and shark involvement was suspected. However, this hasn’t yet been confirmed.
Another man was found dead in 1995. He had supposedly drowned, but scientists identified shark bites post-mortem.
Alexis Huesgen and Chris O’Connor were both attacked by a 6-foot shark on July 27, 2004, and August 12, 2005, respectively.
The last shark attack in the area occurred on July 13, 2008, and the circumstances are unknown. Scientists suppose that Donald Griffin, a 52-year-old man, collided with a marine animal, possibly a shark or a dolphin, during body surfing. He had bruises, abrasions, and spine and nerve damage.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —Erin is no longer a tropical system and is speeding away from North America. Red flags were flying on North Carolina beaches earlier this week— warning swimmers not to get in the water. Wave heights will subside as the storm moves well away into the North AtlanticIn the wake of Erin: what does that mean for your beach trip this weekend?Keep reading for your beach forecast through the weekend; you can find details at the end of this article.Ron Fisher captured this...
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Erin is no longer a tropical system and is speeding away from North America. Red flags were flying on North Carolina beaches earlier this week— warning swimmers not to get in the water. Wave heights will subside as the storm moves well away into the North Atlantic
In the wake of Erin: what does that mean for your beach trip this weekend?
Keep reading for your beach forecast through the weekend; you can find details at the end of this article.
The dream of catching the "big wave" right off the coast of North Carolina may draw a lot of surfers to the beach, but it also means lifeguards and emergency personnel will be on high alert. There have been several water rescues reported at the Southern beaches in North Carolina since Monday.
National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists issued a tropical storm warning and storm surge warning for coastal communities in North Carolina. They have now expired as Erin is well into the North Atlantic and is no longer a tropical system.
Read our current article here for more details on Hurricane Erin and find the beach forecast below.
A State of Emergency was been issued in Dare County due to Erin. Find out more about it here.
Beach hazards in North Carolina this week
The National Weather Service meteorologists in Morehead City warned of the threat of beach hazards including high surf and rip currents along the Northern Outer Banks and Crystal Coast beaches as Erin passed earlier this week.
Strong longshore currents developed as Erin approached the North Carolina Outerbanks
You can find more beach forecast details on the Experimental Beach Forecast Page for East Coast beaches here. Tidal and current information can be found here too.
Rip currents are active along the southern beaches in North Carolina and northern beaches in South Carolina, and threats continue to roll up the coast as Hurricane Erin displaces water and creates large swells. For more on other beach hazards and what to watch for at the coast, check out endurance athlete and professional waterman, Bruckner Chase's video about shorebreak waves and how to prepare for a day at the beach on Blue IQ .
Here's a helpful video to understand ocean currents before you get in the water.
NOAA's Blue IQ: Staying Safe in Ocean Currents with Bruckner Chase
NOAA's Break the Grip of the Rip Ocean Video
Meteorologist Dylan Hudler has more on rip current safety
More weather coverage: | | | | | |
EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WITN) - Watching sea turtles hatch is a favorite for many beachgoers at Emerald Isle.“We got to have the kids out and see it. I believe it was last Labor Day,” Emerald Isle resident Dustin Allen says. “There was a huge boil of about 80 turtles that came out. It was beautiful.”According to Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol, this year has started off strong for the 23 nests along the coast, but Hurricane Erin could threaten their progress.“We were expecting high tides, and a l...
EMERALD ISLE, N.C. (WITN) - Watching sea turtles hatch is a favorite for many beachgoers at Emerald Isle.
“We got to have the kids out and see it. I believe it was last Labor Day,” Emerald Isle resident Dustin Allen says. “There was a huge boil of about 80 turtles that came out. It was beautiful.”
According to Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol, this year has started off strong for the 23 nests along the coast, but Hurricane Erin could threaten their progress.
“We were expecting high tides, and a lot of our nests unfortunately, yesterday went underwater, or severely washed over,” Program Coordinator Dale Baquer says.
She says now all they can do is wait and see if the damage was enough to stop the nests from hatching.
“We do lose a lot of nests by high tide events.”
Baquer says they had to remove the plastic that marks the nests so the high tide wouldn’t drag it back into the ocean.
She asks the public to still be considerate of the eggs that are only two feet below the surface of the sand.
“Even though you see this yellow post with four stakes and no tape, please stay out of there. There are eggs in there,” Baquer says.
There can be stiff fines and penalties for messing with sea turtle eggs or nests as it is illegal.
“We’ve got a great group of trained professionals for anytime you see sea turtles,” Allen says. “So if you’re ever out in the morning, you walk along, you see a fresh crawl, just let the turtle people know, and they’ll come out and take care of it from there.”
Beach goers can call Emerald Isle Sea Turtle Patrol with any report of sea turtle activity at (252) 515-0704.
252.669.0023
