Rip current warning ahead of Memorial Day weekend at local beaches

As you head out to the beach to enjoy your Memorial Day weekend, a warning to use extra caution while swimming because there is heightened risk of rip currents.

As people begin gearing up for a Memorial Day weekend at the beach with chairs, shovels, sunscreen and hats, Wayne Murphy said they are ready for the sun, but he wants to keep his family safe.

“We don’t let the kids get out too far, we keep an eye on them,” Murphy said.

Action News Jax First Alert Chief Meteorologist Mike Buresh said it will be breezy at the beaches this weekend along with a risk of rip currents.

“I’ve talked to the kids about rip currents about how they act, and we don’t like to get too deep out there,” Murphy said.

But if they do, there will be plenty of lifeguards on staff with eight stands and a water rescue team on St. Simons Island.

“And they’ll be surveilling when the tide is coming in to make sure people are safe and people are not stranded on the sandbars,” Recreation and Parks manager Lisa Gurganus said.

Nearly two weeks ago Action News Jax told you that two people drowned off St. Simons Island.

“We have three teenagers with us, two aren’t ours, so we want to make sure they’re safe,” mother, Lizette Cruz said.

Cruz, a beach goer, said she’s glad to hear that lifeguards are back on duty.

“As long as there is someone here, especially because I can swim but not that great,” Cruz said.

There are also preparations at Jacksonville Beach with at least six staffed towers and there was already one mild rescue involving a child.

And in St. Johns County starting Saturday there will be at least 18 towers as well as supervisors on the coastline.

Cox Media Group