Bonnie causes rough surf at beach; one lost in water
CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Tropical Depression Bonnie so far hasn't dumped a lot of rain along North Carolina beaches, but the storm is making the ocean rough for swimmers and surfers.
"It's very unpredictable," said John Bennett from Wilmington. "I've noticed there are more lifeguards in the stands, yesterday they had a no swimming sign because it was so rough."
"They've got red flag conditions and I think a lot of people are heeding those warnings," said Carolina Beach resident, Chris White.
Bennett spent some of Sunday riding the rough waves of the Atlantic with extra caution.
Carolina Beach Fire Chief Alan Griffin said on Saturday night a swimmer from Graham, North Carolina disappeared under the water. The swimmer has since been identified as 21-year-old James Cameron. Chief Griffin said Cameron was with loved ones when they went for a swim around 7:45 p.m. well after lifeguards get off their post at 7 p.m.
When the water got too rough, thankfully some lingering lifeguards noticed trouble and pulled everyone in the group out of the water, but couldn't find Cameron. Chief Griffin said the search for him has now turned into a recovery mission.
The rough water is sparking safety precautions all along the coast. The rough currents gave a swimmer at Fort Fisher a close call. A man in his 40s had to be rescued by lifeguards when he was swimming about 150 yards off the beach.
"The undertow is pretty strong, so we're just keeping people at knee deep," said Jeff Owen, the Fort Fisher Park Superintendent.
