Man drowns in heavy surf off N.C. beach

KURE BEACH, N.C. — A man drowned Sunday in heavy surf off a North Carolina beach, and dozens of others had to be rescued from dangerous rip currents, authorities said.

Michael Jerome Smith, 46, of Rocky Point, was pulled from the ocean Sunday afternoon on an unguarded stretch of beach at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area.

Hurricane Hanna has been kicking up heavy surf and rip currents along the southeastern coast of North Carolina. Lifeguards rescued about 40 people Sunday at Wrightsville and Carolina beaches, authorities said.