Stay out of the water, EMO warns

The public is being warned to stay out of the water today as pounding surf will produce dangerous rip current at reefs and beaches—at least until tonight.

Large northwest swells generated by a cold front southeast of Japan is expected to bring hazardous surf to the Marianas through tonight, according to a special advisory issued yesterday by the CNMI Emergency Management Office.

The high surf advisory is now in effect until Wednesday night. High surf will affect exposed reefs and beaches, producing dangerous rip currents.

Yesterday’s surf was 9-11 feet on north and west facing reefs, decreasing to 8-10 feet last night. Surf was expected to remain this high until this evening.

EMO is strongly advising the public—especially beachgoers, fishermen, tourists, swimmers, divers, and surfers—to avoid venturing near exposed reefs and beaches, especially those along north and west facing reefs as rip currents is life threatening. Rip current risk is high. [B][I](EMO)[/I][/B]