High rip current risk in effect

JACKSONVILLE -- Long period easterly swells from distant Hurricane Rafael combined with onshore winds will create a high risk of rip currents at area beaches through early this evening.
        Rip currents can be life-threatening to swimmers. Even moderate-sized surf can knock a person down. When you're swept off your feet, you are vulnerable to rip currents.
        Rip currents are powerful channels of water fowing quickly away from shore. If caught in a rip current, you should try to relax...then swim parallel to shore away from the current.
        "Rafael", meanwhile, is racing into the North Atlantic Ocean. Its influence will diminish drastically tonight and Thursday as it quickly moves away and weakens.