Windy conditions are pushing waves of seven to 12 feet onto South Florida beaches and creating dangerous rip currents, according to the National Weather Service. A high surf advisory is expected to last through Wednesday morning. The high rip current risk will stay in effect until Thursday evening.
Lifeguards will post red flags at their stands to warn of hazardous water. A double red flag means the water is closed and swimming is prohibited.
Rip currents can pull even strong swimmers away from shore and into deeper water. Lifeguards say anyone caught in one should stay calm, avoid fighting the current and swim parallel to the shore. If possible, float until the current weakens.
Officials urge both residents and visitors to check beach conditions before heading out and to pay attention to warning flags.
The warning follows several water rescues last month, when rough surf led to multiple calls over a single weekend. In Boynton Beach, ocean rescue crews pulled a swimmer from a rip current. Two people and a dog were rescued after their boat capsized near Palm Beach Shores, and two others were pulled from a strong rip current in Hobe Sound.
