Deadly Rip Currents Threaten South Florida Beaches

A high risk of rip currents continues across South Florida, prompting urgent warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) and lifeguards. Strong onshore winds are creating dangerous surf conditions — and they’ve already proven fatal.

On Friday, 13-year-old Jerry Hyppolite drowned in rough waters off Fort Lauderdale. Another man died after being pulled from the ocean in Surfside.

Rip currents are fast-moving, narrow channels of water that pull swimmers away from shore, often beyond the breaking waves. They can strike suddenly, even on sunny days, and are nearly impossible to spot from the beach.

“Water finds the easiest way back to sea,” said NWS meteorologist Daniel Noah. “That flow has incredible force — it’s dangerous for everyone.”

NBC6 reporter Marissa Bagg experienced a rip current firsthand during a training session with a Fort Lauderdale lifeguard. “At first it felt calm,” she said, “but suddenly I was getting swept out. I tried to swim to shore and just got pulled farther away.”

Lifeguards emphasize that the instinct to fight the current often leads to exhaustion and drowning.

What to do if caught in a rip current:

• Don’t panic or swim directly against the current.
• Swim parallel to the shoreline to escape the current’s grip.
• Float or tread water calmly if you’re unable to swim out.
• Wave or call for help to attract attention.

“Always swim near a lifeguard,” said Lt. Gio Serrano of Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescue. “It can save your life.”

Beachgoers are urged to obey red flag warnings and avoid entering the ocean when conditions are hazardous.