early in its duration, hurricane florence produced large swells that affected the east coast of the united states. rip currents caused three deaths due to drowning in north carolina, all in the southern portion of the state. seven other people needed rescue, and at least two beaches were closed. florence contributed to a locally high number of rip current-related deaths in 2000; in response, the national weather service office in wilmington implemented a new rip current warning system for the summer of 2001.