⚠ Ocean Rescue lifeguards at Jacksonville Beach have issued a Beach Safety Alert through the weekend due to dangerous and life-threatening beach conditions from Hurricane Fiona and an incoming cold front.
They kill more people in Florida in an average year than hurricanes, tornadoes and lightning combined.
In 2019, at least 30 people in Florida died because of rip currents or high surf. There were 30 deaths in 2018 as well, 15 people died in 2017 and 19 died in 2016.If you find yourself caught in a rip current, don’t panic -- swim parallel to the shoreline. If you can’t swim out of the current, float or tread water. If you’re not able to reach the shore, face it, wave your hands and yell for help.
If you see someone caught in a rip current, DO NOT go in after them yourself. A lot of people die trying to save others. You should call 911 if a lifeguard is not available and throw the person a flotation device if possible.