MOBILE, Ala. — The National Weather Service in Mobile issued a rip current statement over the weekend, warning swimmers along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast to stay alert for dangerous water conditions.
The advisory, issued at 9:55 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, and in effect until 6 a.m. Monday, covered Mobile and Baldwin coastal counties in Alabama, as well as Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa coastal counties in Florida.
What to Know
Forecasters warned that rip currents in the affected areas were strong enough to sweep even experienced swimmers away from shore and into deeper water. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of water that flow away from the beach, and they are among the leading causes of ocean rescues and drownings along the Gulf Coast each year.
The National Weather Service urged beachgoers to swim only in areas monitored by lifeguards. Anyone caught in a rip current is advised to remain calm and float rather than swim directly against the current, which can quickly exhaust even strong swimmers. Where possible, swimmers should attempt to swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the current’s pull. If unable to break free, forecasters recommend facing the shore and calling or waving for help to attract the attention of lifeguards or bystanders.
A Recurring Summer Hazard
Rip current statements are common along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast during the summer months, particularly when onshore winds and swell combine to create choppier surf. Local beach safety agencies, including Orange Beach’s Fire Department-run Beach Safety Division, use color-coded flag systems to alert visitors to daily water conditions, with double red flags typically signaling that the water is closed to the public due to hazardous conditions.
Residents and visitors planning a trip to the beach are encouraged to check current flag conditions and marine forecasts before entering the water, and to heed guidance from on-duty lifeguards.