BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Double red flags are flying on Monday following a deadly weekend on the world’s most beautiful beaches.
“Just don’t get in it. When it’s double red flags, don’t swim. You’re risking your own life,” tourist Karson Onsby added.
Three Alabama men drowned in a rip current in the Gulf
Six confirmed drownings within the past four days have beach rescue officials on high alert and beach-goers said it’s crucial for all visitors to follow safety protocols.
“You’re not going to beat Mother Nature. You’re not going to,” tourist Lauren Chapman said.
“You can definitely feel it. It’s a crazy riptide, especially like they had those flags out a couple of days ago and people would still try to go inside that rip current area,” tourist Ronald Tourtellot added.
The tragedy began Thursday afternoon when a 19-year-old from Oklahoma drowned behind Sharky’s restaurant on the Front Beach Road.
Friday night, 3 men from Birmingham, Alabama between the ages of 24 and 25 drowned during a night swim behind Watercress Condominiums on Thomas Drive.