Rip Current Warnings Go Up Around the Bay

Folks with plans to extend the long Labor Day weekend an extra day or two at local beaches are being warned to take care. The National Weather Service says there’s a high risk for rip currents in coastal areas throughout the Tampa Bay region.

In a rip current statement issued Tuesday morning, the agency noted conditions are ripe for development of the hazardous formations in several counties around the Bay area. The warning includes the coastal areas of Sarasota, Pinellas, Manatee and Hillsborough counties.

Rip currents are very powerful channels of water that flow rapidly away from shore. These channels can trap swimmers.

“If you become caught in a rip current, do not panic,” the agency warned. “Remain calm and begin to swim parallel to shore.” Once a swimmer is away from the current’s force, it’s safe to swim back toward the beach, the agency noted.

“Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current,” forecasters added. “Even a strong swimmer can become exhausted quickly.”

The warning extends throughout the coastal area until 8 p.m. Tuesday. It is unclear if conditions will again be ripe for rip current formation on Wednesday. Forecasters anticipate only a 20 percent chance of storms heading into Wednesday.

With risks high, the weather service urged beachgoers to heed lifeguard warnings to avoid areas where rip current activity is detected.

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Patch file photo