July 18, 2015 — NORTH CAROLINA — Australians have long been accustomed to shark attacks – already this year, there have been 13 recorded across the nation.

But one US state is facing an unprecedented shark threat and scientists believe unseasonably warm weather may be playing a part.

North Carolina has experienced eight attacks since the start of June.

Two of the most serious attacks occurred within 90 minutes of each other in shallow water in the town of Oak Island.

A 12-year-old girl had her arm and part of her leg bitten off.

The other victim, 16-year-old Hunter Treschl, had his arm amputated.

Oak Island’s town manager Tim Holloman said the two attacks were the first recorded in the area since 1853.

“We have had several calls concerned about people who are fishing for sharks from the surf or the piers,” he said.

But the attacks appear to have done little to deter the tourists, who swell Oak Island’s population from 7,500 to about 40,000 a year.

Read the full story at Australian Broadcasting Corporation