Elevated risk of rip currents expected along much of Florida's Gulf Coast

By Julie Salomone

CREATED Jan. 17, 2013

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Powerful rip currents along much of Florida's coast has beachgoers on high alert.

Florida Division of Emergency Management officials remind residents and visitors to use caution at the beach. An elevated risk of rip currents is expected from Levy through Monroe County, as well as in the Panhandle from Escambia through Gulf County. On the Central Atlantic Coast, beaches from Volusia through Martin County will see a moderate risk of rip currents.

A rip current is a powerful current of water that runs perpendicular to the beach out into the ocean.

 

If caught in a rip current:

  • DON’T PANIC. Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
  • NEVER swim against the rip. Stay afloat and signal for help.
  • Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle--away from the current--towards shore.
  • If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.
  • Draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.