Map Shows Where 1.5 Million Floridians Warned To Stay Out of the Water

A high surf advisory is in effect for Palm Beach County, Florida, where hazardous waves and strong rip currents have led authorities to warn beachgoers—especially inexperienced swimmers—to avoid entering the ocean.

Why It Matters

Palm Beach County is home to nearly 1.5 million residents and a popular tourist destination. Combined with seasonal onshore winds, the surf zone has seen wave heights high enough to prompt active monitoring by local authorities.

What to Know

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Miami issued the advisory Thursday morning, citing large breaking waves between 5 and 7 feet and an elevated rip current risk through at least Saturday. The warnings apply across coastal areas including Boca Raton and Delray Beach, two of the region’s most popular beach destinations during the spring season.

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water,” the NWS said, urging the public to stay out of the surf unless under the watch of a lifeguard and to heed all posted safety advisories.

Officials also noted that hazardous marine conditions would persist through the weekend.

A High Surf Advisory is in effect until at least 2 a.m. Friday, according to the NWS. The High Rip Current Risk advisory remains in place for Palm Beach and Broward County beaches through Saturday morning.

Florida wave warnings — A stock photo shows waves washing up on a beach in Miami.

ULora/Getty

“Inexperienced swimmers should remain out of the water due to dangerous surf conditions,” the NWS said. “Swim near a lifeguard.”

A small craft advisory is also in place along Florida’s entire eastern coastline warning mariners, particularly those operating small vessels, of hazardous conditions. Mariners were warned of seas between 7 and 10 feet.

The small craft advisory will remain in effect until 8 p.m. local time on Thursday evening.

What People Are Saying

NWS meteorologist Jennifer Simmons told Newsweek: “Right now, the winds are veering to more of a north-easterly direction, which is increasing swell, which will impact the larger waves in the surf zone.

Simmons added: “They’re a lot larger waves and can create dangerous surfing and swimming conditions. We also have a high risk of rip currents at the moment, so it becomes a more hazardous condition to swim in.”

The NWS in its advisory: “If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don’t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.”