Coastal alerts warn of rip currents and cliff collapses across US and UK

Weather officials issued beach-hazard statements for coastal Georgetown and New Hanover counties in North Carolina for Saturday, warning that longshore currents could carry swimmers into rip currents and other hazards. Off the Mid-Atlantic coast, a strong cold front is expected to bring gale-force or possibly storm-force northeasterly winds and very large, steep seas, making Gulf Stream crossings dangerous. A separate warning for parts of the Northern California coast cautions of sneaker waves, strong rip currents and breaking waves up to 12 feet, advising people to stay out of the water and away from shoreline structures. In England, Happisburgh Coast Watch urged visitors to avoid unstable cliff edges and unmaintained paths, as erosion and wet or stormy weather can trigger sudden collapses and leave beachgoers trapped by the tide.