Citrus County, FL – As part of Severe Weather Safety Week, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is emphasizing the hazards associated with rip currents. These powerful, narrow channels of water form when waves break near the shoreline, funneling water back to the sea at speeds that can reach up to 8 feet per second.
The Sheriff’s Office advises that if anyone finds themselves caught in a rip current, the key is not to fight against it. Instead, swimmers should move parallel to the shore until out of the current’s grip and then swim back to land at an angle. For those unable to escape, the recommendation is to float or tread water until help arrives or the current diminishes.
Beachgoers are urged to always heed warning flags and maintain a distance of over 100 feet from piers and jetties, which are common areas for rip currents to develop.