… HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK… WHICH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.
* TIMING… TODAY AND SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS… LIFE THREATENING RIP CURRENTS LIKELY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS.
RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE… WHICH OCCUR MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS… JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS… BEACH PATROL FLAGS AND SIGNS.
IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT… YELL FOR HELP. REMAIN CALM… DO NOT EXHAUST YOURSELF AND 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.