The News & Observer reports the man was seen struggling in the water before his death on Sunday. As of Monday morning, Dorian is a category 5 hurricane and churning oceans throughout the eastern seaboard.
The 61-year-old man's identity wasn't released. A medical exam will determine the official cause of death.
Hurricane Dorian is crawling across the Bahamas at 1 mph before making an expected turn to the north later Monday. Dorian brought choppy waves to the beaches on Labor Day Weekend and all North Carolina beaches are at a high risk of rip currents this week as the storm draws closer.