High Surf Alert: Stay Safe this Weekend on the Gulf Coast
Lifeguards anticipate dangerous waves and urge beachgoers to take precautions this weekend.
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Heading into the weekend, Orange Beach Surf Rescue is warning of dangerous conditions, with waves expected this weekend and Double Red Flags likely flying. The alert comes after a busy start to the season, with hazardous surf showing up more often than not. Over the past two weeks alone, Single Red Flags were posted nine times, along with several days of Double Reds. Double Red Flags mean the Gulf waters are closed to swimmers.
Orange Beach lifeguards handled nearly 60 water rescues over Memorial Day weekend, as heavy crowds and rough surf kept them busy under Single Red Flag conditions. During Memorial Day weekend alone, lifeguards performed numerous rescues:
- Friday: 43 water rescues
- Saturday: 8 water rescues
- Sunday: 8 water rescues
Don’t be a statistic.
Rip currents are narrow currents that flow away from the beach and are the primary weather-related killer on northern Gulf Coast beaches. In this region, rip current fatalities exceed those from lightning, tornadoes, flooding, and tropical storms combined.
If you find yourself caught in a rip current, remember these life-saving steps:
- Do not swim against the current: Think of it as a treadmill you cannot turn off; swimming directly back to shore will only cause exhaustion.
- Swim parallel to the shore: Step "to the side" of the current by swimming across it in a direction following the shoreline.
- Stay calm: Rip currents do not pull you under, but they can carry you out as far as a football field.
- Float or tread water: If you cannot escape the current, conserve your energy by floating or treading water until the current's strength subsides.
- Signal for help: Wave your arms to get the attention of those on shore.
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