At least 6 dead in Florida: Deadly rip currents

At least six people were killed in rip currents in Florida over the weekend. Here's what you need to know about this beach danger.

It was an unfortunately deadly weekend for Florida beaches. Over the span of just two days, six people died in rip currents in Florida. The first fatality happened on Thursday afternoon when a teen from Oklahoma was caught in rough waters off Panama City Beach. On Friday, three men died at Panama City Beach after getting caught in a rip current. Finally, a man and woman, who were the parents of six, died on Hutchinson Island on Saturday.

All of the beachgoers were from out-of-state, which happens frequently with coastal drownings in Florida. In 2023, more than 30 people were reported to have died after being caught in rip currents along the Sunshine State, with more than half of those fatalities occurring in the Panhandle.

So what are rip currents and how can you stay safe? Rip currents are strong channels of water flowing from near the coast past the surf zone that can pull even the strongest swimmer into the deep waters. While rip currents occur year-round, they become more common during Hurricane Season as tropical systems approach or pass the coast, bringing strong wind and wave activity.

To stay safe, it's important to swim near lifeguards and remain alert to ocean conditions. Flags indicate current beach conditions. If you don't know what they mean, ask a lifeguard. Green flags indicate minimal hazards, while orange and red flags are used for medium and high-hazard days when the surf and currents are stronger than usual. Double red flags mean stay out of the water.

If you become caught in a rip current, it is advised not to swim against the outgoing force of water. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current, then head safely back towards land.