LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- The National Weather Service is warning about a high rip tide risk for a few Southwest Florida counties.
For Monday, the NOAA said life threatening rip currents are possible in both Lee and Charlotte counties.
If you plan to go anywhere near the beach, you need to be extra careful going in the water.
Officials said large waves are creating rip currents through Monday evening.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore and they happen most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar.
The NOAA suggests only going near the water when a lifeguard is around.
The main takeaway is that you're urged not to swim alone.
If you are caught in a rip current, you need to remain calm and yell for help.
You have to stay afloat while waiting to be rescued.
It's important not to exhaust yourself.
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 out quickly.
The high rip current risk remains in effect through Monday evening.
