Green flag…green for June Grass!
I was very excited to go to the beach when I got the text stating there were green flag conditions in South Walton. I rarely go to the beach in the middle of the day because I sunburn obscenely fast. When I got to the beach at THPSP I was disappointed for a number of reasons.
1. The state park was flying a yellow flag. I expected this because I’ve heard a rumor that state beaches on the Panhandle never fly a green flag for liability reasons.
2. However, the Gulf was about in the same condition as it was Friday except the wind is southeastern. In my opinion the flag is should still be yellow. To me a green flag is when a north wind flattens the Gulf down like a lake. This is rare.
3. The June grass is back in. I’m calling it areas of 3-4 on the Grossness Index.
Since I can wait out the June Grass it wasn’t worth it for me to stay at the beach, so I took some pics and left. I didn’t bother going in the water. You can definitely evade the June Grass if you wade out a bit. It’s coming ashore on thin bands. I tried to get pics that showed the alternating bands of grass and clear water, but I’m not sure you can really tell.
THPSP Friday Afternoon
0 on the Grossness Index! It’s a beautiful day at the beach. The flags are yellow and wind is from the southwest. There are small waves coming in but it’s nice for swimming. I’ve been swimming with the baby pompano for a long time! I had more than 50 around me at one point! I don’t remember ever seeing this many before, so hopefully in a few years there will be a nice population built up. The water is warm and pretty clear even with the wind and waves. Remember that day use entry, parking and tram are free this summer.
THPSP Wednesday Evening
I just came back from the beach. We had storms yesterday and through the night and the water is not as pretty as it was Sunday. I give the June Grass a 2 on the Grossness Index. I don’t mind going in on a 2 and I found that the water was warmer today. There are still a few non-stinging jellies and the ever-present foot – nibbling baby pompano.
Remember: day use admission, parking and tram are free at the park through the summer!
THPSP
I just came off the beach at the state park. I’m giving the June Grass maybe a 0.75. There are a few random blobs but you really have to look for them in the otherwise gorgeous water. There are some small jellies but I don’t think they sting. I’m allergic to them and I feel fine after body surfing for over a hour. The waves are good-sized but nice for body surfing and boogie boarding. The wind was coming from the south but is now shifting to the west. Flags are yellow. There were a bunch of tiny pompano intent on giving me a “fish pedicure”. They’re annoying but harmless.
Remember day use admission, parking, and tram service are free at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park this summer.
Rip Current Advisory in Effect
There is a rip current warning on. Do NOT go in the water! Your life and the lives of your family are worth infinitely more than whatever you paid to come here to the beach. The water may look Ok in some places but knee deep is too deep, especially for kids.
Issued by The National Weather Service
Tallahassee, FL
Sun, May 24, 3:31 am CDT
… HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK… WHICH IS IN EFFECT THROUGH LATE TONIGHT.
* TIMING… BEGINNING TODAY AND POSSIBLY LASTING A FEW DAYS.
* SURF HEIGHTS… 3 TO 4 FEET.
* IMPACTS… DANGEROUS LIFE THREATENING RIP CURRENTS EXPECTED.
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.
&&
More Information
… THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS TODAY FOR WALTON COUNTY BEACHES AND POINTS WEST ALONG THE PANHANDLE…
.MODERATE EAST TO SOUTHEAST WINDS WILL INCREASE SURF HEIGHTS TO 3 TO 4 FEET TODAY ALONG THE WALTON COUNTY COASTLINE GENERATING A HIGH RISK FOR RIP CURRENTS THERE. THE RISK WILL BE SLIGHTLY LOWER FURTHER TO THE EAST. THESE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PERSIST INTO TUESDAY.
One more update
Before I go hide from the sun here is one last update: there is variable June grass along the beach at THPSP. Some areas are totally clear and others are a bit over a 3 on the Grossness Index. There is also the unidentified dark line of stuff just off the beach:
Update
I went down the beach maybe 50 yards east because I saw some dolphins. There are some areas of June grass down there that I would rate up to 3.5 on the Grossness Index. Also, there is a lot of bait in the water close to shore: tiny fish with a few schools of fish about as long as my thumb. The bigger fish and dolphins are having a feast. Get out soon if you want to fish today
June grass is a 1 at THPSP
I am on the beach right now! There are just a few random clumps that I can see. However, there are some clumps of darker stuff (I don’t think it’s June grass) along the sandbar but it is easily avoided. Also there is a fair amount of old June grass on the sand from earlier in the week. Not enough to be gross though. The wind is from the north at the moment so that may e holding the grass at bay. I’m going to stay down here u til it gets hot and I’ll update if anything changes. Remember that day use admission is now free at Topsail Hill State Park but alcohol is not allowed on the beach in the state parks, nor are pets. The flags are yellow and traffic will be bad today, so be careful out there and have a great holiday weekend!
Tried to get pics of the dark stuff, I think it’s just slimy seaweed.
The June Grass Report 