As Hurricane Lee churns off the eastern U.S., another danger lurks: rip currents

Over the last ten years, rip currents have killed more people than tornadoes or hurricanes in the U.S. This year has already been particularly bad with 76 deaths reported through August. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

MIAMI — While Hurricane Lee churns far offshore in the Atlantic Ocean off the U.S. coast with a possible weekend impact in New England or Canada, there's another danger lurking — rip currents.

They usually receive little attention but are the third leading cause of weather fatalities and forecasters. Over the last 10 years, rip currents have killed more people than tornadoes or hurricanes. This year has already been particularly bad with 76 deaths reported through August.