Jacksonville Beach lifeguards were flying red flags, which signal high surf and choppy waves, on Monday and they expect more dangerous conditions to develop as the week goes on and Hurricane Matthew makes its way north up the east coast of Florida.
Lifeguards said they will be keeping a close eye on the dangerous storm's track and are reminding people to stay out of the water if they are not an experienced swimmer.
Eli Phillips, a lifeguard and rescue swimmer, said that Jacksonville Beach is seeing a ground swell, which means stronger and bigger waves coming in from farther away, versus the normal wind swell. Phillips said there's a dangerous difference between the two that both swimmers and surfers need to know.
"With these hurricanes that come up the eastern coast, we'll have a range of conditions the day or two before it reaches us. We may have some larger swell and offshore winds, and then we get the the largest of the swell, and the strongest currents. When the wind is onshore, and it's raining, it gets really big and messy. It looks like a washing machine out there. You can't really see anything," Phillips said.
Phillips reminded beachgoers that rip currents can be spontaneous and pop up in places they weren't before.
But the warnings haven't stopped surfers yet, including Wayne Satterwhite, who decided to hit the waves Monday.
"We've cleared our schedules from work, just waiting on this thing. But you never know what it's going to do," Satterwhite said. "I've been around the ocean my whole life. It all depends on how much of a waterman you are. If you're inexperienced, I wouldn't go out there during this whole thing. But if you really love surfing and have been doing it your whole life, there's probably not many conditions that would scare me out of the water in Florida. I've been other places where the surf can get much larger."
Phillips said lifeguards are always riding up and down the beach looking for problem areas. Right now, they're in the offseason, but he said they utilize the lifeguards they have and place them in certain areas if need be.
"A lot of our guards have gone back to school or are just busy with other jobs or school. We have what we call a skeleton crew, but it's a lot of experienced guards that have been here before and done this stuff before. Even though we have fewer numbers, we have better guards out there, more experienced with hurricanes and larger surf and stuff like that," Phillips said.
Lifeguards said if beachgoers do decide to go out in the water, don't swim alone and don't go out too far. To get a surf report before heading out, visit the Jacksonville Beach lifeguard station at 2 Ocean Front North.
As a reminder, lifeguards said, two red flags means the beach has been closed for swimming.
St Johns County officials warn of rip currents, beach erosion
St. Johns County officials issued a report Monday warning about potentially deadly rip currents beginning late Wednesday and significant beach erosion from Hurricane Matthew.
Anytime throughout the year, there are four main areas where erosion is a concern: South Ponte Vedra Beach, Summer Haven, St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach.
VIDEO: Beach erosion causes concerns in St. Johns County
"St. Johns County has approximately 42 miles of coastline. On any given day, erosion occurs. Sometimes, it puts sand on the beach and sometimes it takes it away," said Michael Ryan, the director of communications for St. Johns County.
Winds from Hurricane Matthew are expected to hit the Vilano Beach area by Wednesday and wear down the already-eroding sand.
As Matthew makes its approach, Ryan said the erosion problem is one they will monitor, though it is something they watch and maintain year-round through beach re-nourishment programs.
IMAGES: Dredging in Vilano Beach
"We continue to watch any event that causes erosion on the beaches. And erosion occurs at different levels on the beach and different beaches differently sometimes, structures sometimes, just (because) of the amount of sand," Ryan said.
One of the programs on the coastline is led by the Army Corps of Engineers. The dredging project is currently underway, but it may be suspended once Hurricane Matthew gets closer.
Melva Metcalf has lived for 12 years among the beautiful homes that stretch along the Vilano Beach coastline -- just feet away from erosion. She said the erosion problem is a serious concern, especially when a hurricane is near.
"When we have a big hurricane coming in, then we have it bad, worse than this. But this is pretty bad," Metcalf told News4Jax Monday.
But the hurricane hasn't scared away visitors, such as Doris Cross, who's visiting from North Carolina.
"We are going to stay around it until they say it's going to get closer," Cross said.
Flagler County officials: Secure home's exterior from Matthew's winds
Flagler County officials urged residents to secure items outside their homes to prevent storm damage from Hurricane Matthew.
“We don’t know exactly where Matthew will hit, but all of the models indicate that we are going to have some strong winds by mid-week. Shoring up your property will lessen the risk of damage to your home,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten. “If you have trees that are close to your house, you should check them for weak limbs and branches. Of course, prune back anything that is overhanging a structure.”
Homeowners should tie down, remove or bring inside outdoor items that could be torn loose or blown away, including potted plants. They should also roll up and secure canvas awnings with sturdy rope or twine.
Residents should also keep chemicals, fertilizers and other toxic materials in a secure area and they should secure propane tanks away from heat sources, such as water heaters and appliances.
“We urge you to take care of these things now, ahead of any effects of the hurricane impacting Flagler County,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “It will help us to help you.”