As Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine strengthens, its path may brush along Florida’s Atlantic coastline. The heaviest impacts are expected Sunday and Monday, bringing 7–9 foot waves and a higher risk of rip currents, which are already elevated.
The Brief:
Red flag warnings are posted on Volusia County beaches.
Rip current risk will rise throughout the weekend as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine moves up the coast.
The system may pass close to Florida’s shore.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Lifeguards in Volusia County pulled nearly 230 people from rip currents over two days last week. With the approaching storm, conditions could become even more dangerous.
Surf instructor Ryan Ragan, who owns Vast Oceans Surf & SUP School, says decades of surfing Volusia beaches have made him familiar with rip currents and how to teach students to handle them.
“I used to try to hold them against the currents. Now I just say we’re going to drift,” Ragan explained. “We’ll drift a block or two, come back, and start over.”
On Friday, Ragan taught 11-year-olds Alexia Samouris and Madison Waters how to surf and identify rip currents.
“The little girl said, ‘What’s that right there?’ … it was the sand swirling, and it was pulling out,” Ragan said. “There are different rip currents all along the beach wherever there’s a sandbar. They even noticed it, and it’s their second time surfing, so you have to be very careful.”
Even though Alexia and Madison are only two days into surfing, both said they already know what rip currents are and how to escape them.
“It just keeps pulling you and pulling you,” Madison said. “When it stops for a little bit, you can swim to the side and get out.”
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