Florida Beaches Experiencing Dangerous Rip Currents
Summer is in full swing, and it’s an especially scary one in Florida when it comes to dangerous rip currents. Lots of people are heading to the Sunshine State for some fun summer vacation time, but along with the beautiful scenery and lovely sunshine comes some danger in the water. Here’s what you should know.
Florida Beaches Experiencing Dangerous Rip Currents
It’s already been a dangerous season for Florida rip currents. According to The News Herald, seven people have drowned in the waters off Bay County since March 2024. Six of those drownings happened within just eight days. “Two weeks ago a Pennsylvania couple drowned while swimming off Stuart Beach during a vacation with their six kids,” they note. Also, “An off-duty Sarasota County lifeguard at Lido Beach saved nine people Saturday, including a family of seven, after they were swept out more than 200 yards into the Gulf of Mexico.” It’s really sad to see. Weather.com also notes how dangerous Florida rip currents have been this season. In addition, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) predicts an above-average 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which would mean more instances of dangerous rip currents on the coasts. Even so, remember that dangerous rip currents can happen anytime and anywhere along the coast, even without a hurricane.
So, how do you stay safe amid rip currents? According to the NOAA, “Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., as well as along the shores of the Great Lakes.” They add that, “Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer.” What do you do if you get caught in a rip current? The NOAA says, “Trying to swim straight to the beach against a rip current is just too difficult. Even a good swimmer will become tired and might even drown. The best escape is to turn sideways to the shore, and wade or swim until you are out of the rip current.” They add, “then, move back toward shore at an angle away from the rush of water.” Also, they note that in a dangerous situation, it’s often difficult to tell which way to swim. So, think of it as swimming towards the breaking waves. So, the best thing to do if you’re caught in a rip current is to turn sideways to the shore, and also wade or swim until you are safely out of the rip current. Keep reading below for severe weather safety information.
