VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A total of 570 people were rescued from Volusia County’s beaches over the Independence Day weekend, according to county beach officials.
These numbers were tallied between Wednesday and Sunday last week. Officials reported a steeping 192 rescued on the Fourth of July alone. These counts are due to the substantial amount of people that crowded Volusia’s beaches during the holiday weekend and recent weather conditions.
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A rip current advisory was issued over the weekend for Volusia County, as well as Northern Brevard, according to the Volusia beach safety director.
Rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water that flow away from the shore. They are known for unexpectedly pulling swimmers out to sea and account for more than 80% of rescues by beach lifeguards, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. More information about how to spot and escape a rip current can be found in this article about the water condition.
News 6 meteorologist Candace Campos reported Monday morning that red flags will continue to be flying up and down the coastline due to the heightened risk of rip currents. She encouraged beachgoers in her weather run down to be sure to swim near a staffed lifeguard station if they decide to venture into the water.
[RELATED: Flags, conditions, more — What to know before heading to the beach]
The News 6 weather pinpoint team designated July 8 a Weather Alert Day, due to the dangerously high levels of heat. The extreme heat index of 108-112, as reported by Campos, raises the chances of experiencing heat-related illnesses and dehydration. This is important to take into consideration if planning on heading to Florida’s beaches in the heat.
To learn more about the potential dangers of the beach and ways to stay safe, be sure to check out ClickOrlando’s article on beach safety and pay attention to weather advisories, beach signage, and exercise caution.
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