068
WHUS42 KMFL 171103
CFWMFL
COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL
603 AM EST TUE NOV 17 2009
..HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ATLANTIC BEACHES
FLZ168-172-173-180000-
/O.NEW.KMFL.CF.S.0040.091117T1103Z-091118T0000Z/
COASTAL PALM BEACH-COASTAL BROWARD-COASTAL MIAMI DADE-
603 AM EST TUE NOV 17 2009
2 TO 3 FOOT SWELLS WILL CONTINUE AFFECTING THE LOCAL ATLANTIC WATERS
LEADING TO A HIGH RISK OF RIP CURRENTS ACROSS THE EASTERN COAST OF
SOUTH FLORIDA. THEREFORE, SWIMMING IS NOT RECOMMENDED AS THESE
DANGEROUS CONDITIONS PREVAIL TODAY.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A RIP CURRENT IS A 10 TO 30 YARD WIDE CHANNEL OF WATER THAT CAN
PULL EVEN A STRONG SWIMMER FROM NEAR OR INSIDE THE SAND BAR INTO
DEEPER WATER. DUE TO THE LIFE THREATENING DANGERS THAT THESE
STRONG CURRENTS OF WATER POSE...SWIMMING IS NOT ADVISED.
IF YOU DO GO INTO THE WATERS...SWIM AT GUARDED BEACHES AND HEED
THE ADVICE OF THE BEACH PATROL. IF CAUGHT IN THE SEAWARD PULL OF A
RIP CURRENT DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE DIRECTLY TOWARD SHORE.
INSTEAD...MOVE SIDEWAYS ACROSS THE RIP CURRENT UNTIL THE PULL
EASES.
AN ALTERNATE METHOD OF ESCAPE IS TO LET THE RIP CURRENT PULL YOU
SEAWARD 50 TO 100 YARDS...WHERE THE FORCE WEAKENS...AND THEN SWIM
TOWARD THE BEACH AT AN ANGLE AWAY FROM THE CURRENT.
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