Melbourne, FL – Beachgoers across Florida’s Atlantic coast are being urged to stay out of the water today as dangerous, life-threatening rip currents threaten swimmers from Daytona Beach south through the Treasure Coast.
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, a high risk of rip currents is in effect Tuesday for all central Florida Atlantic beaches, including Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. Officials say entering the surf is not advised, even for experienced swimmers.
Forecasters warn that numerous, strong rip currents are expected throughout the day, driven by increasing onshore winds and building surf. Wave heights are forecast between 3 and 4 feet, conditions that can quickly overwhelm swimmers and pull them away from shore.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing away from the beach and are one of the leading weather-related causes of death in Florida. The NWS cautions that nice weather can be deceiving, as rip currents often form on sunny days when beach conditions appear calm.
Officials recommend that beach visitors remain out of the ocean entirely during high-risk days. Those who do enter the water should stay near lifeguards and follow all posted warnings. Swimmers caught in a rip current are advised not to fight the current, but instead float, wave for help, and swim parallel to shore once free.
The rip current risk is expected to remain elevated through at least Tuesday evening, with additional updates possible if conditions worsen.
Beachgoers planning outings today are encouraged to check local beach forecasts and heed all safety advisories before heading to the coast.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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