Miami, Florida – Swimmers along Florida’s southeast coast face a high risk of dangerous rip currents through Friday evening, prompting safety warnings for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County beaches.
According to the National Weather Service Miami office, strong ocean currents are expected to continue posing a threat to beachgoers through the end of the week. The agency warns that rip currents can be life-threatening, especially for swimmers caught unaware or outside designated swimming areas.
Lifeguards in Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale are urging visitors to stay close to monitored zones and observe posted flags indicating water safety conditions. Red flags were flying at many beaches Wednesday morning, signaling hazardous surf and strong currents. Swimmers are reminded that if caught in a rip current, they should swim parallel to shore to escape the pull before attempting to return to land.
Beach patrols in Palm Beach County have also increased staffing in anticipation of heavy crowds and heightened risk ahead of the weekend. Officials recommend avoiding swimming altogether unless lifeguards are on duty and stress the importance of checking with local beach stations for daily updates.
The high rip current advisory remains in effect through Friday evening, with updates expected as conditions evolve.
