We all love the beach - the sun, the sand, and the surf. BUT! Just because you are having fun at the beach does NOT mean you can forget about safety.
Rip currents are the #1 weather-related killer at the beaches along the northern Gulf Coast. There have been a staggering 191 rip current fatalities since 2002 in the beaches covered by the National Weather Service Offices in Tallahassee, FL and Mobile, AL. That is more than the fatalities of flooding, tornadoes, lightning, and tropical storms/hurricanes COMBINED!! [Note: Rip current fatalities are only across our coastal counties with beaches (2 in Alabama and 7 in Florida), whereas the other fatalities are spread across the entire forecast area that spans 68 counties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.]
What is a Rip Current?
A powerful, narrow channel of water flowing away from the beach. Rip currents typically extend from near the shoreline out through the breaker zone where breaking waves form. Rip currents can and do occur on clear, sunny days.
Think of a rip current like this - it is a natural treadmill traveling away from the beach. Rip currents can travel as fast as 8 feet per second - that’s faster than an Olympic swimmer! A rip current is dangerous because it can sweep even the strongest swimmers out to sea. For that reason, rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf.
Rip currents also commonly form around breaks in sandbars and near inlets, jetties, and piers (where they are more intense).
Learn all about rip currents in this video from the South Walton Fire District and NWS Tallahassee
Learn all about rip currents in this video from the City of Orange Beach - Beach Safety Division and NWS Mobile!
What is NOT a Rip Current?
A rip current is NOT a “rip tide”. A rip current is also NOT an “undertow”. Rip currents do not pull you under the water - it will just pull you away from the beach.
Beach Forecast
NWS Meteorologists along the Gulf Coast routinely provide daily rip current forecasts for local beaches via the “Surf Zone Forecast” (SRF) product:
Florida Panhandle Beaches Surf Zone Forecast from NWS Tallahassee
Coastal Alabama and Northwest Florida Beaches Surf Zone Forecast from NWS Mobile
NWS Beach Forecast Map: www.weather.gov/beach
Media Collaboration:
Did you know that waves do not need to be huge for rip currents to form? Rip Currents are strongest at low tide but can form at any time.
Clues to Identify a Rip Current:
Rip currents are often present in channel cuts through sandbars. Rip currents can also occur where there are hard structures (in the vicinity of inlets, jetties, or piers) or even rocks jutting out into the Gulf.
Rip currents are easier to identify from an elevated vantage point such as a lifeguard stand, dune line, or even at the beach access point.
Learn more on how to spot a rip current in the videos from NWS Tallahassee and Mobile below. Includes advice from local beach experts!
Staying safe at the beach means knowing the dangers BEFORE you head out! Great beach weather does not always mean it's safe to swim or play in shallow waters. Rip currents can form on calm, sunny days.
Are you planning a beach trip soon? We look forward to you visiting our wonderful beaches, but there are some days that you will want to say out of the water due to rip currents.
Do you know what to do if caught in a rip current? These tips could save your life...
Rip Current Safety Tips to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Did you know that rip currents account for 80% of beach rescues? Rip currents can be deadly if you do not know what to do. This knowledge could save your life or the life of someone else.
Rip Current Survival Guide:
See someone in trouble in a rip current at the beach?
Rip Current Survival Stories
Rip Current Safety Videos:
Learn more by viewing all the rip current safety videos in our YouTube playlist. Additional information from our beach safety partners is below!
Risk Level | Description | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Low | The risk of rip currents is low, however, life threatening rip currents may still occur especially near groins, jetties, reefs, and piers. Always swim near a lifeguard and remember to heed the advice of the local beach patrol and flag warning systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Moderate | Life threatening rip currents are possible. Always swim near a lifeguard and remember to heed the advice of the local beach patrol and flag warning systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High | Life threatening rip currents are likely. The surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers. Stay out of the water. Remember to heed the advice of the local beach patrol and flag warning systems. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional Resources
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Know what the beach flag colors mean BEFORE you head to the beach. When you get to the beach, always look for beach warning flags, which are often posted on or near a lifeguard stand.
The clickable table below provides beach flag resources for several northern Gulf Coast beaches in Alabama and Florida. Click the website or social media buttons next to the beach name to view the current beach flags and beach conditions for that particular beach.
Did you know that two communities in coastal Alabama, Ft Morgan and Dauphin Island, have rip current signs that flash when the NWS Mobile Office issues a HIGH RISK for rip currents? A view of the sign at Ft Morgan can be seen below.
Before your toes hit the sand, learn about the beach flag warning system and other resources to keep you safe in this video from the City of Orange Beach - Beach Safety Division and NWS Mobile:
Beach Safety Videos:
Additional Safety Resources:
Additional Safety Resources:
For Media Inquiries: