Rip Currents Prompt Dozens Of Rescues At South Florida Beaches
HAULOVER BEACH (CBSMiami) – Red flags are flying for a fourth straight day at South Florida beaches signaling rough seas and potentially dangerous rip currents.
Lifeguards are on high alert looking for swimmers caught in the rough surf.
"A lot of times they don't realize they are in a rip current until they come out and they say I see I was going backwards," said Michael Huck with Ocean Rescue Chief.
Chopper 4 was overhead earlier Monday in Haulover Beach where two people were pulled from the water.
The same happened, rescues in the dozens, over the weekend at several South Florida beaches.
Last Friday, on Dania Beach, the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue transported two people to the hospital because of dangerous rip currents, but both are expected to be okay.
READ: Rip Currents Pose Threat To Swimmers
The area where the swimmers were is not guarded.
Sophia Pallabicini witnessed one of the rescues.
"She had her hands above the water and was screaming. She wasn't fully submerged but in shock," said Pallabicini.
"This area used to have a lifeguard stand five years ago but budget cuts left it buried in the sand," said a lifeguard in the area.
Swimmers in that area are aware the area is unguarded.
Guide: How To Escape From A Rip Current
"We trust ourselves. A lot of us surf here and have lived here our whole lives," said Juliette Talmadge.
"I was a swimmer in high school, took lifeguarding lessons so it's not big deal," said Michael Crain.
Last Friday, on Dania Beach, the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue transported two people to the hospital because of dangerous rip currents, but both are expected to be okay.
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