Severe Weather Awareness Week: The dangers of rip currents
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Many people believe hurricanes or tornadoes rank as Florida's most dangerous weather phenomena. But the real threat is often unseen.
Rip currents take the lives of more Floridians than hurricanes, lightning, and tornadoes combined.
'Rip currents are deadly and a large reason for that is people look at the Gulf and they think of it almost like a lake. And then, you know, they get there and they see two-foot waves and they think, 'well, that's ok, that's not that big of a deal.' And so they get into the Gulf and they feel this tug and then, you know, they start to panic,' Senior Service Hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee Kelly Godsey said.
Walton County woman loses $129,500 in Bitcoin scam
If you are stuck in a rip current, there are steps you should take.
'First thing we tell people is to stay calm. Don't panic. If you're a good swimmer, you can swim parallel to shore and you'll land on a sandbar and you can walk in or just float with the rip current, float with the current. It'll eventually let you go. And you could swim in. If you can float on your back, wave your hands for help. If you see someone struggling in a rip current, if you see someone in the water having a tough time, please do not take any unnecessary risk upon yourself. Activate the 9-1-1 system, call 9-1-1, and have a lifeguard respond to the scene,' PCB Beach Safety Director Daryl Paul said.
But officials say bringing awareness to the dangers of rip currents and teaching people how to take proper precautions is the most effective way to keep beach-goers safe.
'Learn the beach flags, know what they mean. The National Weather Service puts out a surf zone forecast each day that contains the forecast for rip currents, for the surf conditions. So the beach conditions, check those out. And as always, listen to local officials. These are folks who know the beach. They work on the beach every day,' Godsey said.
With increased preventative measures. Panama City Beach brought down its rescues from 357 in 2023 to 105 in 2024. Officials say these incidents likely would have resulted in drownings if their lifeguards weren't there.
'You have a one in 18 million chance of drowning in front of a properly trained lifeguard. Ok the city has lifeguards stationed here at the Russell Field city pier right across from for your part so please visit this beach this is the shoreline. Please make contact with the lifeguards,' Paul said.
Rip currents affect even the strongest of swimmers. You should listen to local officials and stay out of the gulf when instructed. Wednesday's focus is on thunderstorms and tornadoes.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Army 250: Could Trump's military parade be impacted by weather?
The Brief A 60% chance of rain and possible thunderstorms Saturday evening could impact the Army's 250th anniversary parade, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in downtown D.C. Severe weather may threaten high-profile elements like military flyovers, fireworks, and the U.S. Golden Knights parachute performance, though armored vehicles can operate in storms. With up to 200,000 attendees expected, lightning and heavy rain could pose major safety concerns, with Sunday's forecast offering little improvement. WASHINGTON - The Army's 250th anniversary is set to be celebrated this Saturday with a festival followed by a parade, concert and fireworks. But could thunderstorms put a damper on the day? What we know There is a 60% chance of rain on June 14, according to the National Weather Service. Showers are likely in the afternoon with the possibility of a thunderstorm between 5pm and 8pm – prime time for the parade's scheduled time of 6:30 p.m. FOX 5 Meteorologist Mike Thomas says severe weather could be possible on Saturday – but we won't know until we get closer to. Sunday is not looking much better, with a 70% chance of precipitation and thunderstorms possible throughout the afternoon and evening, per NWS. Big picture view Saturday's schedule is jam-packed with events in downtown D.C. Ahead of the parade are two events on the National Mall: The Army Fitness Competition and Awards Ceremony is from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and then the Army's birthday festival begins at 11:00 a.m., featuring live military demonstrations, military tanks and more. Following the parade, a concert will kick off at 7:30 p.m. followed by fireworks. The 150 military vehicles should be fine in stormy weather. But any flyovers, helicopters, fireworks and the planned performance by the U.S. 'Golden Knights' Parachute Team could be in jeopardy depending on weather conditions. And with up to 200,000 expected attendees, the chance of lightning could be a major issue.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
TV Meteorologist Issues Stark Warning as Storm Forecasts Grow Less Reliable
Hurricane season just got a lot more personal. In a rare and unfiltered moment, veteran meteorologist John Morales went off-script on live TV, delivering a grave message that's resonating far beyond Miami. During a segment that began with archived footage of Hurricane Dorian, Morales did something that stunned viewers, the Cool Down reported. After decades of calmly guiding South Floridians through storm season, he admitted he may not be able to offer that same assurance this year. 'I am here to tell you I'm not sure I can do that this year,' he said. His reasoning? Cuts. Devastating ones. Morales pointed to what he called a 'sledgehammer attack on science,' referencing years of reduced funding and staff at NOAA, the National Weather Service, and FEMA. The result is a multigenerational setback to the systems Americans rely on for timely, accurate storm predictions. He warned that weather balloon launches, a critical tool for modeling storm paths, have been slashed by 20%, leading to degraded forecasts. 'The quality of the forecast is becoming degraded,' Morales said bluntly. It was more than just a moment of candor. It was a stark warning from someone who has made a career out of staying calm under pressure. And it speaks volumes about the state of hurricane preparedness heading into a season already predicted to be 'above average' in person replied, "I know a lot of people in Florida and I'm truly worried for them this year. Not only for the degraded weather predictions but for the new FEMA head who didn't know about hurricane season." As meteorologists across the country raise red flags, Americans in hurricane zones are being urged to act now. That means creating a go-bag, preparing for power outages, and staying informed, especially if forecast reliability is no longer a given. Morales may not be able to offer the same confidence this year. But his message was clear: ignore this warning at your own Meteorologist Issues Stark Warning as Storm Forecasts Grow Less Reliable first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bonnaroo 2025: Rain threat can't kill the vibe as festival gets underway
If there's one thing true about Bonnaroo fans, it's that a little rain won't stop the party or kill the good vibes. With tents staked tight and canopies double knotted, The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee, slowly filled up June 12 with campers ready to take on the wind and the rain at this year's 23rd annual — unless you don't count the two canceled years— Bonnaroo music festival. Despite a little anxiety from the 2021 tropical storm that canceled the festival days before it was scheduled to kickoff, this year's event is business as usual. "We feel like we're prepared for it [rain]," said Austin Donithan, from Roanoke, Virginia while enjoying a meal with his family in Outeroo. "[We have] a bunch of tarps instead of tents this year. We have E-Z cubes, so it's a little bit easier to protect and keep things from getting wet." His brother-in-law, Eli Lupacchino, is counting on the rain to not drown out their good time. "I looked at the weather this year and it doesn't look too bad," he said. Lupacchino, a 5-year festival veteran, said the festival's close-knit, friendly atmosphere has kept him coming back year after year. "People will give you the shirt off their backs if you need it," he said. "It's great." But yes, rain is coming. More: They've been going to Bonnaroo for more than 10 years. Why these 'roo veterans keep going back: 'It'll change you' The National Weather Service predicted showers and thunderstorm chances every day of the festival. Chances for thunderstorms ranged anywhere from 20% to 90% with Saturday having the highest risk. It will, hopefully, keep temperatures below 90. Thunderstorms and lightning could threaten performances for any of the 150 artists, delaying them in the schedule, or, in extreme circumstances, causing a cancelation. Still, attendees are looking forward to seeing their favorite acts take the stage, despite the forecast. "It's going to be muddy!" said an enthusiastic Meaghan Burton, from St. Pete, Florida "I just want to put my hiking boots on and get through it." Burton is most looking forward to seeing Rainbow Kitten Surprise on June 13, when the weather service is predicting an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 7 p.m. Her mother-in-law, Jennifer Moore, has braved more intense Bonnaroo years, she said. "It'll be fine," said Moore, who in 2009 broke her foot in a mud pit during the final Beastie Boys concert. For Moore, the annual festival is a family affair and an opportunity to expose her four children to different communities and walks of life, she said. The Tullahoma native and 16-year-veteran of the festival has been bringing her children, ages 34, 29, 20, and 19, to the festival since 2008. "Politics, religion, sexual orientation — all gets thrown out the window when you're in here and I really enjoy that," she said. "The two young ones I brought in when they were still dressed up in spiderman outfits and in little red wagons." Luke Combs, Tyler the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo and Hozier are scheduled to headline this year. And in what seems to be a Millennial fever dream, Avril Lavigne, Vampire Weekend, Aly &AJ, Arcade Fire, Nelly and Natasha Bedingfield are also scheduled to play. This year's festival is also the first appearance of a brand new, one-of-a-kind "Infinity Stage" featuring spatial sound, synchronized lights and a three-dome, open-air design for an immersive 360° experience. Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bonnaroo returns to The Farm for 2025 Tennessee music festival
