Deadly rip currents take a man’s life on a South Florida beach. How long will they last?
One man died and at least five others were pulled from the water as strong rip currents continued to hammer South Florida beaches, particularly in Palm Beach County.
That’s where on Monday evening a man in his 40s got caught in a strong rip current and died, Palm Beach police told ABC12-WPBF News.
The unidentified man was one of five pulled from the water at Midtown Beach after 5 p.m.
One of the five was a first responder, reported CBS12.
READ MORE: Man dies after being swept out to sea in the Florida Keys, Coast Guard says
On Tuesday, the National Weather Service in Miami issued a rip current statement warning that dangerous rip currents will still affect coastal Palm Beach County through the evening, and the warning includes Miami-Dade and Broward, continuing a pattern that started Saturday.
According to the weather service, the high risk for rip currents remains through Wednesday for the three counties.
What should you do
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water prevalent along the East, Gulf and West coasts of the U.S., according to the National Ocean Service.
How fast? Up to eight feet per second and can move “faster than an Olympic swimmer,” according to NOAA.
If you get caught in a rip current there are ways of getting out of them safely, experts say.
▪ First, listen to warnings and lifeguards and pay attention to posted beach patrol flags and signs. Maybe you can forego that dip in the ocean that day.
▪ Don’t panic if you get caught in a rip current. “Relax and float,” the National Weather Service suggests.
▪ Don’t swim against the current toward the shore, NOAA says. If you can, swim in a parallel direction following the shoreline and then at an angle toward the beach.
▪ If those tips are not working and you can’t escape the water’s pull, face the shore and call or wave for help.
More weather
Tuesday could bring isolated but strong afternoon thunderstorms across the interior and western portions of South Florida that could linger into the early evening.
These storms could have strong wind gusts to 18 mph and drop small hail.
The chances of these showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through Wednesday’s 50% chance.
Temperatures will reach a high of the mid-80s and lows in the mid- to upper-70s. Friday should be the sunniest day.
Key West, you escape most of this nasty business, with your best chance of rain being Tuesday night and Wednesday’s 30% chance.
Take this time to prepare for hurricane season in what the National Weather Service is promoting as preparedness week a month before the season begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 11:04 AM.
