Town of Palm Beach Alerts and News Releases
Town of Palm Beach Fire Rescue Issues Warnings About Rip Currents
Beach conditions along the East Coast will become increasingly dangerous this week due to long-period ocean swell from distant Major Hurricane Erin. A moderate to high risk of rip currents is already in effect for the Florida East Coast, spanning from Northeast Florida to the Treasure Coast. The risk for rip currents will persist through much of the work week, gradually extending along the coast in entirety as Erin ushers northeasterly to northerly flow along Florida’s East Coast beaches. Beach conditions will gradually improve this weekend and into early next week; however, lingering rough surf may prompt the elevated rip current risk to continue for the next 5 to 7-day timeframe. A rip current is a localized current that flows away from the shoreline toward the ocean.
Because rip currents move perpendicularly to shore and can be very strong, beach swimmers need to be careful. A person caught in a rip current can be swept away from shore very quickly. The best way to escape a rip current is by swimming parallel to the shore instead of towards it. A swimmer can also let the current carry him or her out to sea until the force weakens, because rip currents stay close to shore and usually dissipate just beyond the line of breaking waves. Occasionally, however, a rip current can push someone hundreds of yards offshore. The most important thing to remember if you are ever caught in a rip current is not to panic. Continue to breathe, try to keep your head above water, and don’t exhaust yourself fighting against the force of the current.
Town of Palm Beach Ocean Rescue reminds all visitors to our beaches to:
Because rip currents move perpendicularly to shore and can be very strong, beach swimmers need to be careful. A person caught in a rip current can be swept away from shore very quickly. The best way to escape a rip current is by swimming parallel to the shore instead of towards it. A swimmer can also let the current carry him or her out to sea until the force weakens, because rip currents stay close to shore and usually dissipate just beyond the line of breaking waves. Occasionally, however, a rip current can push someone hundreds of yards offshore. The most important thing to remember if you are ever caught in a rip current is not to panic. Continue to breathe, try to keep your head above water, and don’t exhaust yourself fighting against the force of the current.
Town of Palm Beach Ocean Rescue reminds all visitors to our beaches to:
- *Swim close to a lifeguard tower and check the conditions board and posted hazard flags.
- *Rip currents are frequently stronger during outgoing tides. There is a morning daily beach report that patrons can call for updated beach conditions at 561-835-4693.