Rough Surf, Rip Tides Along South Florida Beaches
MIAMI (CBS4) - Red flags are flying at lifeguards stations up and down South Florida's beaches due to rough waves and riptides.
Waves of up to ten feet are expected to pound the beaches on Sunday and decrease slightly on Monday. On Saturday, lifeguards on Miami Beach pulled nearly a dozen swimmers to shore, none were seriously injured. The National Weather Service said the rough surf conditions were the result of wind patterns and a low pressure system in the Atlantic sending swells along the east coast.
Beachgoers are urged to stay out of the water. If swimmers do go in the water, lifeguards recommend they stay near the shore and always swim near a lifeguard tower.
Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beach goers. Every year in the US, rip currents cause over 100 drownings and account for more than 80-percent of all beach water rescues. In Florida, rip currents kill more people annually than thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.
Because rip currents can occur on any beach with breaking waves, everyone should know the basics of how to survive a rip current:
The best survival tip is prevention. Avoid swimming in beaches when rip current advisories are in effect.
