TALLAHASSEE – Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) officials remind residents and visitors to stay alert and use caution as a cold front approaching the state will bring a risk of severe weather to North Florida and an elevated risk of rip currents along many of Florida’s beaches this week. The Storm Prediction Center has placed most areas of the Panhandle and the Big Bend under a Slight Risk of severe weather on Wednesday.
Increasing onshore winds along Florida’s southeast coast will generate a high rip current risk from Palm Beach County through Miami-Dade County and a moderate risk from Volusia County through Martin County today. Winds will continue to shift and strengthen ahead of the cold front and these conditions will bring rough surf and a high rip current risk to the beaches of the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday. By Thursday, winds will continue to shift and the rip current risk will likely elevate along both the Peninsula Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast through the end of the week.
“A squall line expected to develop ahead of the cold front will have the potential to bring severe weather and an elevated risk of rip currents to areas of the Panhandle and North Florida,” said FDEM Deputy State Meteorologist Michelle Palmer. “All Floridians should monitor weather conditions and know what to do in the event of a watch or warning for their area, and beachgoers should be sure to check the beach warning flags before swimming.”
The storm will have the potential to bring strong and damaging winds and isolated tornadoes to the Florida Panhandle. Residents and visitors across the region are urged to monitor this weather system and to be prepared to act if warnings are issued.
It is important to remember that when red flags are flying, beachgoers should remain alert while visiting Florida’s beaches. A rip current is a narrow, powerful current of water that runs perpendicular to the beach, out into the ocean.
When at the beach:
- Before you leave for the beach, check the latest National Weather Service forecast for local beach conditions. Many offices issue a Surf Zone Forecast.
- Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained to identify hazards.
- Know the meaning of and obey warnings represented by colored beach flags.
Different beaches may use different colors but a commonly used series include:
- Double Red: Beach is closed to the public
- Single Red: high hazard, e.g., strong surf or currents
- Yellow: medium hazard
- Green: Calm conditions although caution is still necessary
- Purple: Flown with either Red or Yellow: Dangerous marine life
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist alongside these structures.
- Pay especially close attention to children and persons who are elderly when at the beach. Even in shallow water, wave action can cause loss of footing.
- Be cautious. Always assume rip currents are present even if you don’t see them.
If caught in a rip current:
- DON’T PANIC. Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
- NEVER swim against the rip. Stay afloat and signal for help.
- Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle--away from the current--towards shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water.
- Draw attention to yourself: face the shore, wave your arms, and yell for help.
If you see someone in trouble, don't become a victim too:
- Get help from a lifeguard or, if one is unavailable, have someone call 9-1-1.
- Throw the rip current victim something that floats--a lifejacket, a cooler, an inflatable ball.
- Yell instructions on how to escape.
Practice Safe Boating:
- Check forecasts well ahead of time.
- Be sure everyone aboard is wearing a life jacket.
- If caught in a thunderstorm, go below deck if possible, and stay away from masts or ungrounded metal objects.
- Have a VHF marine band radio on board.
- Know the limitations of your boat. If small craft advisories or gale warnings are issued, you should postpone travel.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 – November 30. Visitwww.FloridaDisaster.org to Get A Plan! For the latest information on the 2012 Hurricane Season, follow FDEM on Twitter at @FLSERT, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT and on Google+ at FLSERT. |
No comments:
Post a Comment