At least six tourists have lost their lives this summer on Florida's beaches due to powerful rip currents, commonly known as undertow. The fatalities occurred at Panama City Beach, located in the Panhandle along the Gulf of Mexico, and Hutchinson Island on the Treasure Coast in southeastern Florida.
State authorities decided to close several beaches on Sunday after meteorologists issued weekend alerts, warning that dangerous conditions are likely to persist in the coming days.
Tragic Incidents and Swift Response
The first death happened on Thursday when a teenager was swept away by the waves at Panama City Beach. Though he was pulled out alive, he later died at the hospital. The following day, around 8:00 PM, three young people from Alabama were caught in a rip current and drowned. According to the Bay County Sheriff's Department, all three were rescued separately and taken to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
On Sunday, another swimmer was saved, administered CPR, and survived. The other two victims were a couple from Pennsylvania who were walking with their children on Hutchinson Island. The children managed to swim to shore, but the parents were carried into the Atlantic by the rip current. According to the Martin County Sheriff's Office, they were found unconscious and later died at the hospital.
Warnings and Continued Risk
In April, the National Weather Service issued a warning for swimmers in Florida due to dry weather, which results in the impact of easterly winds and a high risk of rip currents. Breaking waves were forecasted to be around five to eight feet high in the bay, along with large swells in Broward County.
More than 30 swimmers have died after encountering rip currents in Florida in 2023, with over half of these incidents occurring in the Panhandle. Mid-last year, a dozen drownings due to rip currents sounded the alarm on Florida's beaches, where lifeguards struggled to keep people out of the water despite red flag warnings. Seven of the 12 deaths occurred at Panama City Beach.
During that period, more than 500 people had to be rescued on Florida's beaches during the weekend leading up to the Fourth of July and the days that followed.
Understanding Rip Currents in Florida
Given the tragic incidents involving rip currents in Florida, it is crucial to understand the risks and safety measures. Here are some important questions and answers to help keep beachgoers safe.
What are rip currents?
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can pull swimmers away from the shore. They typically form at low spots or breaks in sandbars and near structures such as piers.
How can swimmers stay safe from rip currents?
Swimmers should always heed local warnings and flag systems, swim near lifeguards, and avoid entering the water during high-risk conditions. If caught in a rip current, it's important to stay calm, swim parallel to the shore, and then back to land at an angle.
What should you do if someone is caught in a rip current?
If you see someone caught in a rip current, do not attempt to rescue them yourself. Instead, alert a lifeguard or call emergency services. If possible, throw them a flotation device.