FL Home To Deadliest U.S. Beach After 7 Die While Swimming

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — Three people died while swimming at Panama City Beach on Saturday, bringing this year's deaths at the popular tourist beach to a nationwide high of seven, according to officials and reports.

In a Panama City Beach Police Department news release, authorities confirmed officers responded to "three separate fatal water incidents behind three different resorts" on Saturday.

According to the release, the city listed the deaths as "fatal water incidents" because officials don't know if the victims drowned or had another medical emergency in the water.

City officials identified the victims as Kimberly Ann Mckelvy Moore, 39, of Lithonia, Georgia; Morytt James Burden, 63, of Lithia Springs, Georgia; and Donald Wixon, 68, from Canton, Michigan.

Moore was rescued by lifeguards around noon and was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, Burden died after being rescued shortly after 1 p.m., and Wixon died after being rescued at 4:23 p.m., according to officials.

Saturday's deaths brought this year's total recorded at the beach to seven, the highest of any beach in the United States, according to a database compiled by the National Weather Service.

The deaths occurred within nine days, according to the database. The National Weather Service listed all as involving rip currents, or powerful currents that can carry people away from shore.

Of the fatalities, six occurred within the Panama City Beach limits under double red flags, meaning swimming was prohibited and the water was closed to the public, according to a separate Panama City News Herald report. One happened on an unincorporated beach under a single red flag, meaning the beach was under a high surf hazard.

Swimming in water under double red flags is punishable with a $500 fine, according to the city of Panama City Beach.

Officials said Panama City Beach employs 20 lifeguards that patrol nine miles of beach. According to reports, officials are exploring ways to deter swimmers including steeper fines for those who disregard double red flags.

"I can't speak for all my colleagues, but I feel like that we're going to continue to put as many resources as we can to help with this situation," Councilman Paul Casto told the News Herald. "We've made great progress in the history of the city, and I feel like we're going to continue doing whatever it takes ... (but) I don't know if you'll ever stop it completely."

Statewide, 27 deaths have been reported on Florida beaches in 2023. Nearly all were related to strong rip currents.

The National Weather Service advises residents and travelers to know the water conditions at beaches before attempting to swim. Here's what federal officials say swimmers should do if they find themselves caught in a rip current:

• Relax. Rip currents don't pull you under.
• Do not try to swim against a rip current — it will only use up your energy, which you need to survive and escape the rip current.
• Do not try to swim directly toward the shore. Swim along the shoreline until you escape the current's pull. When free from the pull of the current, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore.
• If you feel you can't reach shore, relax, face the shore, and call or wave for help.
• If possible, only swim at beaches with lifeguards.
• If you choose to swim on beaches without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Take a friend and have that person take a cell phone so that person can call 911 for help.