Tropical storms sending strong currents

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - Tropical Storm Leslie was classified a hurricane Wednesday. Leslie, and other recent tropical storms, are deemed to bring strong rip currents and red flags to the Oceanfront.

"It's definitely a little more dangerous this time of year than in the early parts of the summer," Lee Throckmorton with Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service said.

Lifeguards warn those who are not strong swimmers to stay beach-side.

"It's a good day to come to the beach and hang out, but if you're not accomplished swimmer, body boarder or surfer, it's a good day to stay on the beach and watch the more accomplished surfers," Throckmorton said.

Lifeguards tell WAVY.com these conditions will stick around most of this week. If you get caught in a rip current, try to remain calm and swim parallel to shore.