North Carolina expects coastal flooding from massive waves, tropical-storm-force winds and tidal and storm surges for much of the state shoreline, especially the Outer Banks, as well as life-threatening rip currents for most of the week, Stein said, adding, "No one should be in the ocean."

There are an estimated 300,000 annual drowning deaths worldwide, according to WHO. That comes out to an average of 822 people per day. Here’s how to avoid becoming a statistic.