ORLANDO, Fla. – Hurricane Ernesto will pass hundreds of miles east of Florida, however the large storm will create dangerous beach conditions locally.
Waves will break at about 4 feet Friday. Waves will range from 2-4 feet Saturday and Sunday.
Small crafts should use caution.
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One of the most significant concerns with the arrival of these larger waves is the increased risk of rip currents. Despite the near-perfect weather expected for the weekend, beachgoers must be aware of this hidden danger.
Volusia Beach Safety Director Tammy Malphurs said dangerous conditions will last through the weekend.
“We will be flying that red flag,” she said. “We need people to swim in front of the staffed lifeguard towers. Download the Volusia Beaches App for your smartphone that has real-time information and you can find out where those staffed lifeguards are located.”
If caught in a rip, Malphurs said to yell to a lifeguard.
“Yell for help but, most importantly, make sure you’re in front of that staffed lifeguard tower,” she said. “A lot of times they can see you in trouble before you even realize it because they’re trained to spot those rip currents.”
Historically, Florida and the eastern seaboard have seen tragic fatalities associated with rip currents from distant hurricanes.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing away from the shore. They are most dangerous because they can catch swimmers off guard, pulling them out to sea rapidly. The immediate reaction is often panic, which can lead to exhaustion and, ultimately, drowning.
[RELATED: How to spot and escape a rip current]
Understanding rip currents and knowing how to escape them is crucial for anyone heading to the beach. If caught in a rip current, the key is to remain calm. Do not try to swim directly back to shore against the current, as this will likely lead to fatigue. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline until you are out of the current, then make your way back to shore at an angle.
Remember, obey all signs, flags and swim near a lifeguard.
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