Rip currents have claimed the lives of 11 people within two weeks along the Gulf Coast, amid warnings from officials about the hazardous water conditions, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service
. The deaths have spanned the Gulf of Mexico between Fort Morgan, Alabama, and Panama City Beach, Florida, the weather service said. A rip current is “a relatively small-scale surf-zone current,” according to the weather service. It forms as waves disperse across the beach, “causing water to become trapped between the beach and a sandbar or other underwater feature” so, “the water converges into a narrow, river-like channel moving away from the shore at high speed.
In the aftermath of a tragic weekend, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in Florida posted photos “of the trenches dredged in the sand under the water as a result of the powerful rip currents” to illustrate their impact. “You say you are a ‘good’ swimmer, an experienced swimmer, a competitive swimmer, ” the office wrote. “But you are no match for a rip current.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Three die in Gulf of Mexico rip currents off Panama City BeachSo far this year seven people have died in surf zone incidents at Panama City Beach, which is the most for any one U.S. location so far this year, according to the National Weather Service.
Read more »
Blazing heat wave for the Gulf Coast this week.An upper-level high that has been baking Texas for about a week is sliding eastward towards us in the coming days.
Read more »
Hot days continue in Gulf Coast heat waveThe hot temperatures continue on the Gulf Coast with highs in the mid 90s again this afternoon with a “feel like” temperature of 105-110 degrees.
Read more »
LGBTQ+ Pride Month reaches its grand crescendo on city streets from New York to San FranciscoLGBTQ+ revelers and allies are partying coast to coast for the grand crescendo of Pride Month
Read more »
New York City celebrates 53rd annual Pride MarchLGBTQ+ revelers and allies partied coast to coast for the grand crescendo of Pride Month.
Read more »