RALEIGH - It was a deadly start to the month of July along the southeast coast of North Carolina as four people drowned off Brunswick County beaches.

To create awareness to the danger of rip currents, the National Weather Service is out with a new program entitled Rip Currents Break the Grip of the Rip. Steve Pfaff is warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS in Wilmington

"Since 2000 we have had 92 rip current fatalities in the Carolinas. And we have had, unfortunately, a big clusterof fatalities in the July Fourth week, which was a tragedy here in south east North Carolina."

Pfaff says if you encounter a rip current don't fight the current, swim out of the current, then to shore. If you can't escape, float or tread water. If you need help, call of waive for assistance.