Rip Current Risks Rising Later This Year

Vacationers should be on notice for dangerous conditions at beaches this year. Increased activity from tropical storms is predicted to cause a rise in riptides, making swimming conditions at beaches more treacherous. 

To help inform the public, the National Hurricane Center is releasing a map that updates frequently on June 1, showing the risk of riptides. It is meant to help prevent the roughly 88 people who die annually from riptides. This tool will be featured alongside other hurricane forecasting graphics on hurricanes.gov and will be available whenever a tropical system threatens coastal areas.

What causes these riptides, and how can you look out for them? Rip currents are narrow, fast-moving channels of water flow from the shoreline back out to sea and are responsible for hundreds of rescues and dozens of deaths every year. While hurricanes may pose immediate threats along their path, they are responsible for the rip currents far from their storm path. 

Even in clear skies, rip currents happen. Long before a storm hits the shore, or even if it never does, its presence offshore can create dangerous rip currents that silently pull swimmers away from safety. Read along to find out more about the National Hurricane Center’s new tool and the dangers of rip currents. 

Why Are Riptides So Dangerous?