FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Rip currents along South Florida beaches have prompted a warning from ocean rescue officials and led rescuers to save several swimmers in distress over the past two days.
7News cameras captured red and purple flags waving at a lifeguard stand on Fort Lauderdale Beach, Thursday afternoon. The red flag means the water is not safe to go in, and the purple flag alerts beachgoers about the presence of potentially dangerous marine life like man o’ war.
Video shared by Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue showed first responders rescuing two swimmers in distress earlier on Thursday due to the choppy waters.
Officials said the strong currents are coming from the east and are pushing the waves so forcefully toward the shore that they make it rough and dangerous for swimmers to navigate.
“We’ve had strong easterly winds for a few days, which increases the rip currents’ strength. That’s what’s causing the rescues,” said Alex Bagwell with FLFR Ocean Rescue.
FLFR officials said crews came to the rescue of six swimmers in distress in two separate incidents on Wednesday.
“Yesterday we had two rescues resulting in six people being pulled out of the water,” said Bagwell. “One rescue was two people, and then the other rescue was four people in a rip current at one time. One was transported.”
Officials in Miami Beach reported similar conditions. Thankfully, crews have made no rescues on Thursday, adding they are taking preventative measures to avoid emergencies.
Visitors who spoke with 7News said they are heeding the warnings and staying out of the water.
“It doesn’t take much, my understanding is, for you to be swept under,” said Karyn Spelde, who is visiting from Illinois.
“It’s too dangerous. I wouldn’t put my life at risk that way, and anyway, there’s a nice pool at our hotel,” said Geri Colosi, who is visiting from Pennsylvania.
Officials advise swimmers to refrain from swimming against the tide when encountering a rip current and to swim parallel to shore and move toward shore or tread water until a lifeguard comes.
The threat of rip currents is expected to remain through at least Sunday, so beachgoers are advised to exercise caution.
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