Photo Shows How Dangerous Florida Beaches Have Been Recently June 29, 2023 – Posted in: Florida News, Lifestyle – Tags: drowning, fatigue, rip currents, water safety
Several swimmers, including former Arkansas and NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett, have died recently in the Florida panhandle.
Rip currents – fast-moving, narrow channels of water – have claimed the lives of several beachgoers in the region over the last few weeks.
One local meteorologist is showing just how prevalent the rip currents are on Florida beaches.
Matt Devitt of Southwest Florida’s WINK shared an image showing several rip currents along the shore of a beach.
Devitt says that rip currents are the No. 1 weather related killer along the Northern Gulf Coast, claiming lives at a higher rate than even hurricanes.
Rip currents can move at up to eight feet per second, faster than even the most prolific Olympic swimmers.
In addition to the Gulf Coast, they are seen on the East and West coast of the United States as well as the shores of the Great Lakes.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the best way to remain safe if one is caught in a rip current is to swim parallel to the shore rather than trying to swim directly through the current.
Swimmers who attempt to move directly through the current can succumb to fatigue, which can lead to drowning.
