Double red flags on AL beaches. Waters CLOSED to the public due to high surf.
Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches raised a double red flag this morning, meaning the waters are CLOSED to the public. Strong winds of 15-25 mph are causing high waves and a high risk of rip currents developing along the coast this afternoon. The beaches themselves are open, but swimming is not permitted at this time.
Rip Currents are a narrow channel of ocean water flowing from the coastline to the sea. They form when the wind speed increases to more than 10 mph – the higher the wind speed, the greater the risk of rip currents. tall.
They can be especially dangerous for swimmers along beaches, as attempting to swim against the current can quickly lead to exhaustion and drowning. On average, about 100 people a year in the United States are killed by pushback currents.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF ATTENTION IN A RIPPING CURRENT:
