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National Weather Service officials at the Miami, Florida, office have issued a high risk warning for dangerous rip currents at several Florida beaches for Wednesday.
NWS Miami meteorologist Will Redman told Newsweek that the increased risk is due to a moderate onshore wind flow.
Why It Matters
The warning comes as there have already been 26 fatalities tracked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that were attributed to deadly hazards like rip currents and sneaker waves in the United States so far this year. Of the seven deaths documented in Florida, several were caused by rip currents.
More rip current warnings are likely to be issued this summer as hurricane season gets underway, causing unsettled waters closer to shore.
What To Know
As of Wednesday afternoon, a "high" rip current risk encompasses coastal Palm Beach County, coastal Broward County, and coastal Miami-Dade County in southeastern Florida. The rip currents will remain in effect through Thursday evening.
When a rip current risk is classified as high, "life threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone," according to the NOAA.
Even excellent swimmers can be caught in a rip current and swept away from shore into deeper water, the warning advised.
"Swim near a lifeguard. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don't swim against the current," the warning said. "If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help."
According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, signs of a rip current include a difference in water color, a line of foam or debris moving seaward, or a gap of darker, calm-looking water between breaking waves. However, they can be difficult to see, making it crucial for beachgoers to pay attention to flags on the beach that indicate whether the water is safe or not.
In some instances, hurricanes and tropical storms can increase the chance of rip currents even from hundreds of miles away. However, Redman said the ongoing rip current risk is not related to the nontropical weather system the National Hurricane Center is tracking offshore of northeastern Florida. That system is expected to bring heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of the U.S. Southeast.

What People Are Saying
A rip current survivor story from a beachgoer at Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on the NOAA website: "I was at Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on a beautiful relaxing beach day. Water looked fairly calm. Made my way out until I started to feel a little uncomfortable and turned around to come back and discovered I couldn't. I struggled to plant my feet on the sandy bottom but couldn't. The current was taking me out! The waves were pounding into me and water was entering my mouth.
"Wave after wave was wearing me down as I dog paddled. I calmed myself down and remembered the instructions. I swam horizontal to the shore and finally touched bottom. I thought I was going to die that day! No one on shore was aware of my situation. Although I still love the ocean and beach, that day changed me forever but a little bit of knowledge can save your life! It saved mine."
NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist Will Ulrich previously told Newsweek: "Rip currents have been the number one weather-related killer in east-central Florida and along the Eastern Seaboard. Even distant hurricanes can become hazardous."
What Happens Next
The high rip current risk will remain in place for the Miami area through Thursday evening. Beachgoers are advised to monitor ongoing rip current warnings before entering the water.
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About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more