The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a high rip current risk alert for South Florida’s Atlantic coastline through Sunday evening, warning of hazardous ocean conditions that could endanger even experienced swimmers.
“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” the NWS warned in its official coastal hazard statement, adding that beachgoers should swim near lifeguards and avoid attempting to fight the current if caught in one.
The Context
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can quickly pull swimmers away from the shore. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these currents can exceed speeds of 5 miles per hour, faster than even Olympic swimmers.
They are among the deadliest natural hazards at beaches across the United States, causing more deaths annually than hurricanes or tornadoes, according to NWS data.
What to Know
The warning applies to beaches in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties, where rip currents have already proven deadly in recent days…