00:00When a hurricane is near the coast, most people focus on the wind, rain, and storm surge impacts.
00:04However, rip currents, which can occur even if the storm is far offshore, are often an overlooked
00:09beach hazard. Hurricanes, even those far offshore, can cause dangerous rip currents due to the
00:15powerful winds and waves they generate. These strong winds push water towards the shore,
00:20causing a buildup of water along the beach, and then this excess water that needs to return to
00:24the ocean, and it often does so through a narrow concentrated channel called a rip current.
00:29Based on data from 2013 to 2023, rip currents and rough surf are the third highest cause of direct
00:36U.S. fatalities from tropical cyclones, many of which occur due to storms that are located
00:40well offshore. Last year, rip currents claimed more lives than tornadoes. Over the past decade,
00:47the average annual death toll from rip currents has been 76. So what can you do to stay safe?
00:52Well, first, checking the AccuWeather forecast. Not only will you get the forecast for your
00:56coastal location, but if we are worried about rip currents, there will be a special statement from
01:01our meteorologist that says, watch for unusually rough surf and rip currents. So then you already
01:05have the heads up. Then you want to set up near a lifeguard stand. According to the United States
01:09Life-Saving Association, the likelihood of drowning at a beach under USLA lifeguard protection is 1 in
01:1518 million. And of course, look out for those warning flags, which indicate the safety of the
01:20water that day. If you do go into the water and end up getting caught in a rip current, this is my
01:25favorite advice from the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project. It's flip, float, follow. Very similar to
01:29the stop, drop, and roll we were all taught as young kids. Flip over on your back. Keep your head above
01:34water. Stay calm to conserve your energy. Don't fight the current. You want to swim perpendicular to the
01:39flow. If you're too tired, just continue to float. Stay safe.
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