Rip current statement

A rip current statement is a warning statement issued by the National Weather Service of the United States when there is a high threat of rip currents due to weather and ocean conditions.[1]

The statement usually contains some detail about when and roughly where the rip currents are most likely to be forming. It also states for how long the conditions are likely to continue. It warns swimmers and anyone else who might go into the water, where more specifically rip currents are likely to form on a beach. It also may explain what to do to avoid being caught in a rip, and also what not to do if one is caught in a rip.

Example

The following is an example of a Rip Current statement issued in Tallahassee, Florida in September 2013. [2]

COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TALLAHASSEE FL
1200 PM EDT THU SEP 19 2013

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...

.GUSTY EASTERLY WINDS WILL CONTINUE TO GENERATE ROUGH CONDITIONS
ALONG AREA BEACHES THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. STRONG AND FREQUENT RIP
CURRENTS ARE LIKELY...ESPECIALLY AT EAST FACING BEACHES.
CONDITIONS SHOULD IMPROVE TONIGHT.

FLZ108-112-114-115-192300-
/O.NEW.KTAE.RP.S.0032.130919T1600Z-130919T2300Z/
SOUTH WALTON-COASTAL BAY-COASTAL GULF-COASTAL FRANKLIN-
1200 PM EDT THU SEP 19 2013 /1100 AM CDT THU SEP 19 2013/

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ THIS
EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TALLAHASSEE HAS ISSUED A HIGH RIP
CURRENT RISK...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM EDT /6 PM CDT/ THIS
EVENING.

* SURF...2 TO 4 FEET...HIGHEST AT EAST FACING BEACHES.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR ANYONE ENTERING THE WATER.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

THERE IS A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS. RIP CURRENTS ARE POWERFUL
CHANNELS OF WATER FLOWING QUICKLY AWAY FROM SHORE...WHICH OCCUR
MOST OFTEN AT LOW SPOTS OR BREAKS IN THE SANDBAR AND IN THE
VICINITY OF STRUCTURES SUCH AS GROINS...JETTIES AND PIERS. HEED
THE ADVICE OF LIFEGUARDS AND THE BEACH PATROL. PAY ATTENTION TO
FLAGS AND POSTED SIGNS. IF YOU BECOME CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT...
DO NOT PANIC. REMAIN CALM AND BEGIN TO SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE.
ONCE YOU ARE AWAY FROM THE FORCE OF THE RIP CURRENT...BEGIN TO
SWIM BACK TO THE BEACH. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SWIM DIRECTLY AGAINST A
RIP CURRENT. EVEN A STRONG SWIMMER CAN BECOME EXHAUSTED QUICKLY.

&&

$$

CAMP

Another noticeable example of a statement is in the 2019 Memorial Day weekend near Miami, Florida.

...HIGH RIP CURRENT RISK REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH MONDAY
EVENING...

* TIMING...Through Memorial Day.

* IMPACTS...Life threatening rip currents will pose a hazard to
swimmers. Heed the advice of lifeguards. Swimming is not
recommended.

See also

References
  1. "Noaa.org". National Weather Service. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  2. "Noaa.org". National Weather Service. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
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