South Carolina prepares for Hurricane Irene. Beach visitors were kept out of the ocean Tuesday because of strong currents.

---

8/23/2011 North Myrtle Beach, SC A Lifeguard watches the water in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on Tuesday. Red Flags were raised Tuesday indicating strong rip current was possible. The effects of the first 2011 Atlantic hurricane forecasted to hit the United States are already being felt up and down the east coast. Express-Times Photo | CHRIS POST

---

Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Photo credit: © Over X Photography / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: beach, carolina, flood, hurricane, irene, myrtle, riptide, south, storm