Dolphins caught inside East Hampton's Northwest Creek will have to hold fast to survive the night as weather foiled rescue efforts Wednesday.

Marine biologists attempting to help the dolphins say the wind and bitter cold made conditions too dangerous to bring small boats out on the water. According to the volunteers, a narrow channel is the only way out of the creek, and the shallow water there is scaring the sea-bound mammals away from their escape route. Five dolphins have been killed by lack of food or stress, eight have escaped and an additional eight to 10 remain trapped.

Experts believe at least one dolphin could die overnight Wednesday. They say chances of survival decrease by every hour the creatures stay stuck in the creek. Rescue efforts are scheduled to resume Thursday.

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