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Dangerous rip current warning in effect for Lee and Charlotte counties

Posted at 6:53 AM, Jul 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-10 06:56:28-04

LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- The National Weather Service put a high rip current warning in effect for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Officials said life threatening rip currents are possible in both Lee County and Charlotte County. If you plan to go near the beach, you need to be extra careful going in the water.

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Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. They occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar. If you are caught in one, you need to remain calm, yell for help and stay afloat while waiting to be rescued.

If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back towards the beach when it's possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current because you will tire yourself out quickly.

The high rip current warning is in effect in Lee and Charlotte counties through Wednesday evening.