Personal Injury Attorney Near Me Hilton Head Island, SC

Those planning to fire up their grills or head to the beach may need to keep an eye on the skies this Fourth of July weekend.

The coming days will bring a mix of sun and the occasional isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and evenings. The National Hurricane Center is also monitoring a disturbance off the South Carolina coast, which can bring heavy rainfall and a possible tropical or subtropical depression in the next seven days.

“The current thinking is that if anything develops, it’s going to be relatively weak,” Emily McGraw, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said.

The development is the result of a weak cold front moving across the area. The front will then stop off the coast, a pattern that is “notorious” for tropical cyclone development, according to a newsletter from Frank Strait, severe weather liaison with the State Climate Office.

At the moment, meteorologists don’t have a great idea of the situation, but it’s most likely that the low-pressure area will bring lots of rain Saturday through Sunday, according to Strait. Given that the storm would have little time over the ocean to develop, it will likely remain weak before moving inland. In the event that it does become a tropical storm, it would form quickly and there would be some wind and storm surge concerns along the coast. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation.

The forecast on Friday, July 4 includes scattered thunderstorms and showers in the afternoon and evening, though the storms are likely to dissipate before the start of most fireworks displays, Strait said. Highs will be in the mid 90s, with the heat index reaching up to 102 degrees.

Saturday will be partly sunny with a high of 87 degrees. It’s likely the area will see showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunday will see much of the same.

For those planning to hit the beach, there is an enhanced risk of rip current over the weekend, McGraw said.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Two swimmers were bitten by sharks in separate incidents on Hilton Head Island beaches this month, alarming visitors to the popular summer vacation spot — including many from Ohio.

The first bite occurred around noon on June 17, when a woman was injured while swimming off Sea Pines Beach Club, according to local news. Lifeguards provided initial treatment for non-life-threatening leg wounds before she was airlifted to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

Less than a week later, on June 23, a second person was bitten at Coligny Beach Park, one of the island’s busiest public beaches. The swimmer was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital. Their injuries also were not considered life-threatening.

Hilton Head Island is a common vacation choice for Ohio families, particularly during summer break. The back-to-back shark bites — a rare occurrence — have led officials and marine experts to urge caution in the water.

Here’s what to know about sharks in the area:

Beachgoers are advised to stay near lifeguards, avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, and exit the water if wildlife activity is visible.

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Hilton Head Island’s beautiful beaches attract thousands of visitors each summer, but they’re not the only ones drawn to the surf.

The warm coastal waters are home to a wide variety of shark species that enjoy taking a dip in the ocean too.

While shark encounters are usually sparse, two recent shark bite incidents prove that it’s helpful for swimmers and beachgoers to understand what types of sharks might be nearby, how to reduce the risk of bites and how Hilton Head lifeguards are trained to keep people safe.

Here’s what beachgoers this summer should know about the kinds of sharks in Hilton Head’s waters and ways to stay safe in the sun.

As many as 40 shark species may pass through South Carolina’s waters, depending on the season and water depth.

Even though the shark population is ever changing throughout the year, beachgoers at Hilton Head may encounter around 14 species inshore during the summer months.

“Shark activity has jumped this year, and their presence right now is thick,” said Chip Michalove of Outcast Sport Fishing.

Michalove says that several types of sharks commonly swim within a few miles of the beach, while others tend to stay farther out.

Some of the more recognizable species you may spot close to the shore include:

Sharks that are often farther offshore include:

For common shark species seen near the shore, like Blacktips, they are often searching for schools of menhaden fish, known for their silver color.

“Blacktips are the ones most likely to bite,” Michalove said. “Right now, since activity is up and they’re in large numbers, they can be more aggressive.”

For a full list of sharks that have been spotted off the South Carolina coast, click here to view the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ sharks and rays detection results page.

“Shark bites are extremely rare events,” said Bryan Frazier, principal investigator of shark research with the SCDNR. “In South Carolina, we average about four to five bites a year.”

While shark bites are rare, two back-to-back shark incidents have raised some questions about how to stay shark smart on the beach.

Here are some simple precautions to take when getting in the water:

If you do spot a shark, it’s recommended to calmly exit the water and inform a lifeguard.

Shore Beach Service and its lifeguards play a vital role in shark safety and are trained to spot shark activity and protect the public. This includes:

If you notice any of these signs that may indicate shark activity, let the lifeguards on the beach know.

If a shark bite occurs, lifeguards are trained in emergency response and first aid, following guidelines from the United States Lifesaving Association, of which Shore Beach Service is a member.

If you are bitten, remain calm, get to shore and seek medical attention immediately.

While the presence of a shark can seem intimidating, they are a natural part of Hilton Head’s ocean ecosystem and a sign of a healthy marine environment. By understanding the types of sharks, recognizing signs of activity and following safety guidance from lifeguards, you can stay safe and informed during your beach day.

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South Carolina officials on Sunday reported the second shark bite at Hilton Head, a popular southern beach town, in just one week.

Hilton Head Island (HHI) Fire Rescue responded to a medical emergency at Coligny Beach Park on Sunday around noon and located the victim with lacerations to the leg consistent with a shark bite, an HHI fire rescue spokesperson said in a press release.

Fire and Rescue officials provided immediate on-scene care for the victim, who was then transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

It is the second shark bite incident reported in HHI since June 17, when another victim sustained lacerations to the leg consistent with a shark bite, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital last week.

"Beaches and oceans are dynamic natural environments," HHI communications director Heather Woolwine said in a Monday statement to Fox News Digital. "Crowd conditions, currents, waves, wild animals, and other water and beach conditions can rapidly change. Our contractor for beach operations and lifeguard services, Shore Beach Service, will continue to monitor wildlife activity in real-time as best they can."

When large schools of fish are present or if there is an identified shark in the water near people swimming, "the SBS team goes quickly into action to get people out of the water," Woolwine said.

Additionally, officials raise flags on Hilton Head to advise beachgoers of certain conditions. Purple flags indicate the presence of dangerous marine life, such as sharks, stingrays and jellyfish. Red flags indicate rough conditions, such as riptides. Yellow flags indicate moderate to light conditions.

The summer months in Hilton Head are the most popular for visitors. HHI was ranked No. 1 among South Carolina's best beaches on U.S. News and World Report's Best Vacation Rankings, published in 2024.