Along our coastline today there is a high risk for rip currents. According to the National Weather Service, rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and in the vicinity of structures such as groins, jetties, and piers.
Today the National Weather Service has issued a Rip Current Statement for our coastline warning beach goers that there is a high risk of rip currents and the rip currents will be life threatening. The high risk for rip currents is through 7:00p.m. this evening.
If you choose to go in the water with the risk of rip currents, you should swim near a lifeguard, pay attention to flags and posted signs. If you are caught in a rip current most importantly you should remain calm. Do not fight the current, instead swim parallel to the shore. The rip current itself does not pull you down- it pulls you out, people drown in rip currents because they try to swim against it and become exhausted. If you swim in a direction following the shoreline you will eventually swim past the pull of the rip current and be able to swim back to shore. If you cannot escape, just float and tread water until the rip current weakens. If you need help wave your arms to try to attract attention from the shoreline.