Rough Surf Expected on Pensacola Beach Through Labor Day Weekend

With tropical storm activity in the Gulf of Mexico expected to continue to bring rough surf to the Gulf Coast, Escambia County Public Safety reminds beach goers to stay safe this Labor Day weekend. Red flags are currently flying on Pensacola Beach, and red or yellow flag conditions, including moderate to high surf and life-threating rip currents, are expected throughout the weekend. Visitors and residents are asked not to swim or wade in Gulf waters whenever red flags are flying. Entering the Gulf of Mexico during red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County. Even the strongest swimmer can be swept out to sea by a rip current.

Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can move at speeds of up to eight feet per second. Rip currents do not pull people underwater but pull people away from shore, and they are particularly dangerous for weak swimmers or those unfamiliar with how to react. The local rip current risk can be checked daily by clicking here, and flag conditions are posted on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards page on MyEscambia.com and on the Pensacola Beach Lifeguards Facebook.

When visiting any beach, please follow these rip current safety tips:

• Never swim alone or at an unguarded beach. When you arrive at the beach, ask the on-duty lifeguard about rip currents and other conditions expected.
• Follow the posted beach condition flag warnings:
  • Green Flag - Means “low hazard,” but you should still exercise caution.
  • Yellow flag - Indicates “moderate surf and conditions” such as rip currents. Swimmers should exercise careful caution when entering the water.
  • Red flag - “Strong currents and high surf," no swimming or wading. Entering the Gulf of Mexico to swim or wade during red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County.
  • Double red flags - Only used during hurricanes and other natural disasters. No swimming, wading or surfing in the Gulf of Mexico. Entering the Gulf of Mexico during double red flag conditions is illegal in Escambia County.
  • Purple flag - Indicates “dangerous marine wildlife” may be present. Please use caution when entering the water.
• Learn how to spot a rip current - Most often, rip currents are identified by a channel of churning, choppy water, an area having a notable difference in water color, a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward, or a break in the incoming wave pattern.
• Don’t fight the current.
• Don’t swim straight into shore; instead, swim diagonally until you do not feel the rip current’s pull. Then you can swim to shore.
• If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard. If lifeguards are not available, have someone call 911. Throw the rip current victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape. Remember, many people drown trying to save someone else from a rip current.