Gusty Winds Cause High Rip Current Risk, Beach Erosion
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami/AP) — A cool front has brought some higher winds which have caused some pretty big waves and rough surf along our beaches.
The National Weather Service said the combination is increasing the risk of rip currents, a high risk alert remains in effect through Tuesday morning.
The high tides are causing seawater to break down beach coastlines in South Florida, causing some major beach erosion.
On Monday, the wind will be from the northeast at about 24 mph, with gusts up to 31 mph. The windy conditions, with gusts in upper 20s to lower 30s, will hang around all week.
At Haulover Beach, double red flags were flying but that didn't deter surfers who wanted to test out their abilities to ride the higher than normal swells.
"For regular swimmers I wouldn't recommend going out there, it is way too windy, a lot of rip currents, it's just way too choppy," said surfer Luis Levarde. "There's a lot of jelly fish out there too in the water right now."
Levarde said he and his friends wait for this type of weather all year long because conditions for surfing in South Florida are usually not that great.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore. They mostly occur at low spots, breaks in sand bars or near structures like piers and jetties.
If you get caught in a rip current, remain calm and yell for help. Stay afloat while waiting for help. If you have to swim out of a rip current, swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current as you will tire quickly.
The rough conditions are expected to stick around the rest of the week. They are going to gradually go down but until then you should try to avoid the beach if you can.
